A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund addressing adverse mental‑health impacts from its platforms, adding to a previously imposed $375 million fine, bringing total liability to $942 million. Judge Bryan Biedscheid said roughly $420 million will fund treatment services for young people in New Mexico, with the remainder covering awareness, prevention, screening and other costs over five years.

The ruling follows a March trial that first found Meta liable for harms on its platform, after a 2023 Guardian investigation revealed Facebook and Instagram as marketplaces for child sex trafficking. Former moderators testified that flagged content was not escalated. In the second phase, prosecutors asked the court to mandate changes to curb addictive features, improve age verification and prevent exploitation. The judge also ordered Meta to create banner screens explaining protection features, launch an educational campaign in New Mexico, and report progress biannually.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez praised the decision as a victory for families. Meta’s spokesperson disagreed and will appeal, asserting confidence in its record of protecting teens. The judgment is the first of many that could reshape Meta’s approach nationwide.