Meta Platforms has been ordered to pay $375 million after a jury found the social media giant violated consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of its platforms and failing to adequately protect children.
The verdict, delivered in New Mexico, marks the first time a jury has ruled against the company on claims linked to child safety and exploitation risks.
The case, filed by the state’s attorney general, accused Meta of falsely portraying platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp as safe for young users despite known risks.
The jury concluded that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices, citing tens of thousands of violations under state law. The penalty was calculated at $5,000 per violation, resulting in the $375 million fine.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described the outcome as a landmark decision, accusing Meta of prioritising profits over child safety.
He said the ruling should serve as a warning to major technology firms that they will be held accountable for failing to protect vulnerable users.
In response, Meta said it disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal.
The company maintained that it has invested heavily in safety measures but acknowledged the ongoing challenge of identifying and removing harmful content and bad actors across its platforms.
The lawsuit stemmed from a 2023 undercover investigation in which authorities created fake accounts posing as children under 14.
According to prosecutors, these accounts were quickly exposed to explicit content and approached by adults, highlighting gaps in Meta’s content moderation systems.
The state also argued that certain platform features—such as infinite scroll and auto-play—were designed to maximise engagement, even when they could contribute to harmful user experiences for minors.
The ruling comes amid increasing global scrutiny of social media companies over child safety, mental health concerns, and online exploitation.
Governments worldwide are moving to tighten regulations, with some countries introducing or considering age restrictions on social media access for minors.
In Nigeria, discussions are ongoing around potential measures to strengthen online protections for children, reflecting a broader international push to hold tech companies more accountable.
