Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million in Landmark New Mexico Child Safety Ruling

World News

Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million in Landmark New Mexico Child Safety Ruling

1 minute ago

News sources:

BBC

CBSNEWS

LEMONDE

INDIATIMES

Meta Ordered to Pay $567 Million in Landmark New Mexico Child Safety Ruling

Credited from: BBC

Meta is ordered to pay $567 million for jeopardizing children's mental health on its platforms.
The ruling includes funds for mental health treatment and safety improvements.
Previously, Meta faced a $375 million penalty for similar violations.
Legal actions against social media platforms for child safety are expected to increase.

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million due to its failure to protect children online. This decision comes after a jury earlier imposed a $375 million penalty, citing the company's role in harming children's mental health and exposing them to predators on its platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid described Meta as creating a "public nuisance," akin to pollution, and mandated the funds be allocated to initiatives aimed at mitigating future risks to children's safety, according to BBC and CBS News.

The recent ruling specifically directs that approximately $420 million of the penalty be set aside for treatment services for mental health, while the remainder is designated for awareness campaigns and prevention initiatives over the next five years. Meta has been under scrutiny for allegedly designing its platforms to foster addiction among young users while neglecting their safety needs. These developments mark one of the largest legal actions against a social media company concerning child safety, as noted by Le Monde and India Times.

BBC, CBS News, and Le Monde.