Jury orders Meta to pay $375m in child safety case

A US jury has ordered Meta to pay $375m in damages, marking a significant moment in the growing legal push to hold tech companies accountable for how their platforms affect children.

The verdict came after a six-week trial in New Mexico, where state prosecutors argued that Meta failed to protect minors and instead prioritised profit over safety. Jurors agreed, finding that the company violated consumer protection laws and engaged in “unconscionable” practices that took advantage of children’s vulnerability.

The case is notable not just for the financial penalty, but for what it represents: the first time a US state has successfully sued Meta over child safety concerns.

At the centre of the trial was evidence gathered through an undercover operation. Investigators posing as users under 14 reported receiving explicit content and being contacted by adults seeking similar material, leading to criminal charges in some cases.

Jurors reviewed extensive material, including internal documents and testimony from dozens of witnesses, among them former employees who raised concerns about the platform’s impact.

Meta has pushed back on the outcome. “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal,” a company spokesperson said, adding that the company continues to invest in safety measures while acknowledging the difficulty of moderating harmful content at scale.

For New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the ruling is meant to send a broader signal. He described it as “a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety”.

The case is not over. A second phase is scheduled to begin in May, where the court will consider additional penalties and potential changes to how Meta operates its platforms.

Meanwhile, similar legal battles are unfolding elsewhere. A case in California examining the impact of platforms like Meta and YouTube on children is being closely watched, as it could shape thousands of related lawsuits across the country.