US judge rules company failed to adequately protect children on its social media platforms
Meta has been ordered to pay a record $942 million after a US judge ruled that the technology company failed to adequately protect children from harm on its social media platforms.
A court in New Mexico imposed a new penalty of $567 million, adding to an earlier $375 million award in the same case. The combined amount represents the largest financial penalty Meta has faced over child safety concerns.
Judge Bryan Biedscheid described Meta as a “public nuisance”, arguing that the impact of its platforms extends beyond the internet and affects families, schools and wider communities.
Child safety lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 and accused Meta of exposing children to sexually explicit material and online predators through the recommendation systems used on its platforms.
The court found that Meta had repeatedly violated New Mexico’s consumer protection laws.
The ruling places further pressure on the company to strengthen safeguards for young users and address concerns about how its platforms recommend content.
Meta owns several major social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads.
Meta plans appeal
Meta has rejected the court’s findings and said it plans to appeal the decision.
The company said it disagrees with the ruling and maintained that it continues to invest heavily in measures designed to protect young people using its services.
However, the judge ordered Meta to introduce additional restrictions aimed at reducing potential risks to minors.
Stricter safeguards ordered
Under the court’s order, Meta must introduce several new safeguards for younger users.
These include blocking adults from directly messaging minors, removing “like” counts for users under 18 and restricting notifications during overnight hours.
The company was also ordered to limit teenage use of Facebook and Instagram to about three hours a day.
The measures are intended to reduce young users’ exposure to potentially harmful content and limit interactions that could put them at risk.
Growing legal pressure
The decision adds to increasing legal challenges facing Meta in the United States.
The company is already dealing with thousands of lawsuits involving allegations that its social media platforms can negatively affect children and teenagers.
Lawmakers and regulators have increasingly questioned how major technology companies design their platforms and whether enough safeguards are in place to protect younger users.
Global scrutiny increases
The ruling comes as governments around the world move towards tighter regulations on social media companies and child safety.
Authorities in several countries are considering or introducing measures designed to limit children’s exposure to harmful online content and strengthen protections for minors.
The Meta case could therefore have wider implications for the technology industry as companies face growing demands to demonstrate that their platforms are safe for young users.
For Meta, the $942 million penalty represents a major financial and reputational setback. The company’s planned appeal means the legal dispute is likely to continue, while regulators and governments are expected to maintain pressure on social media companies over child protection.
