The US justice system has once again focused on the responsibility of Big Tech for the mental health of young people. A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million (approximately €492 million) to compensate minors for the harm caused. The ruling, issued by Judge Bryan Biedscheid, states that the company operated as a genuine "public nuisance" by prioritizing interaction and screen time over children's well-being.
This new fine comes on top of the $375 million the company was already ordered to pay in March for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms. In total, the bill amounts to $942 million , an unprecedented figure in the legal battle against the harmful effects of social media on children. The case, which began in 2023 with a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, has set a precedent that could inspire similar actions in other jurisdictions.
A 'public nuisance' that comes at a high price
The judge did not limit himself to imposing a financial penalty. In his ruling, Biedscheid compared the impact of Meta's platforms to the pollution generated by a factory , where the product is the advertising and content, and the collateral damage is the sexual exploitation and psychological deterioration of children. This analogy was key to justifying the amount, as the court understands that the harm transcends the digital sphere and affects society as a whole, including families, schools, and healthcare services.
The resolution stipulates that the money raised will be allocated to a specific mitigation fund. The majority, approximately $420 million, will be invested in mental health treatment programs for affected children. The remainder will be distributed among awareness, prevention, and training initiatives for teachers and healthcare professionals, who will need to learn to identify and address the risks associated with the excessive use of these apps.
Drastic measures to protect teenagers
Beyond the financial aspect, what has garnered the most attention are the obligations imposed on the company. Meta will have to limit teenagers' usage time to a maximum of 90 hours per month on Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, it must disable push notifications at night (from 22:00 PM to 7:00 AM) and during school hours, except on weekends, to avoid constant interruptions and promote adequate rest.
Another key measure is hiding the "like" counter for users under 18, a feature experts identify as a major trigger for social anxiety. Controls will also be strengthened to prevent unknown adults from contacting minors, and specific safeguards will be implemented for AI chatbots to prevent their misuse. The handling of reports of child sexual abuse will also undergo a much stricter review.
The court has made it clear that these measures are non-negotiable and must remain in place for the next five years. Although the request to modify the recommendation algorithms was rejected, the mere fact that a judge has compelled a major technology company to change its internal operations represents a historic milestone in internet regulation.
The precedent that looks towards Europe and Spain
Although the ruling is limited to the state of New Mexico, its repercussions have reached Europe. In the European Union, the Digital Services Act (DSA) already includes penalties of up to 6% of global revenue for platforms that fail to adequately protect minors. This US case could serve as a roadmap for European authorities when it comes to holding large technology companies accountable.
In Spain, the Spanish Data Protection Agency and the Ministry of Youth and Children closely monitor these types of rulings. The New Mexico case demonstrates that it is possible to obtain multimillion-dollar fines if it is proven that the company concealed information about the risks of its products. This could prompt further investigations or strengthen control mechanisms over content accessible to minors in our country.
Meta's response and the path to appeal
As expected, Meta has not taken the ruling well. The company has announced it will appeal the decision to higher courts , arguing that it has been working for years to protect teenagers and that the accusations misrepresent the facts. In an official statement, a spokesperson insisted that they are "transparent" about the challenges of identifying and removing harmful content.
For his part, Attorney General Raúl Torrez celebrated the ruling emphatically, calling it "a victory for all parents" who are concerned about the impact of social media on their children. Torrez emphasized that this decision is not only a punishment for one company, but also a "model to follow" for other states and countries facing the same youth mental health crisis.
The conviction of Meta in New Mexico marks a turning point in the responsibility of digital platforms for children's health. With a total fine of $942 million and the obligation to implement drastic changes in the operation of Facebook and Instagram, the message to the industry is clear: the safety of minors is no longer an extra, but a legal requirement . While Meta prepares its appeal, the rest of the world is watching closely a case that could redefine the rules of the game on the internet.