Meta New Mexico Child Safety Verdict
Last updated: September 16, 2026
If your child uses Instagram or Facebook in New Mexico, a court has ordered changes to how those apps treat them. New Mexico sued Meta in December 2023. It said the company misled families about how safe its apps are for teenagers and let predators reach children. A jury agreed in March 2026 and set a $375 million penalty. In August, the judge added a $567 million fund for youth mental health services and new rules for teen accounts. Meta disputes the claims and is fighting the judgment.
If your child, or you as a teenager, developed serious mental health problems during heavy Instagram or Facebook use, you can ask for a free case review. Whether that history supports a claim depends on the diagnosis, the age when heavy use began, and what the records show. Pick the situation that fits:
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For the wider picture, see our Social Media Addiction Lawsuit overview, the Meta Lawsuit page, and the Social Media Lawsuit Update.
This page provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice.
- A New Mexico jury found that Meta misled the public about the risks its apps pose to young users, and set a $375 million penalty.
- The judge then ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund for youth mental health services, bringing the total to about $942 million.
- The judgment also sets new rules for teen Instagram and Facebook accounts in New Mexico.
- The money goes to the state. There is no claim form for families.
- Meta plans to appeal.
What New Mexico Said Meta Did
New Mexico's attorney general, Raúl Torrez, filed the case in state court in Santa Fe on December 5, 2023. The state said Meta told the public its apps were safe for teenagers while knowing otherwise. It said Instagram and Facebook harmed young people's mental health and exposed children to sexual exploitation. Meta denies the claims.
The case was tried in two parts. A jury decided whether Meta broke the state's consumer protection law. The judge then decided whether Meta's apps harm the health and safety of the public in New Mexico, and what Meta must do about it.
The $375 Million Jury Verdict
The jury trial ran from February 2 to March 24, 2026. On March 24, the jury found that Meta violated New Mexico's consumer protection law. It found 75,000 violations and set a $375 million penalty. The verdict came one day before a Los Angeles jury ruled against Meta and YouTube in the first family lawsuit to reach trial.
The $567 Million Youth Mental Health Fund
The second part of the case was tried before Chief District Judge Bryan Biedscheid from May 4 to May 22, 2026. On August 6, he ruled that Meta's apps harm public health and safety in New Mexico. He ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund, on top of the jury's penalty. The money is split this way.
- Treatment for young people: $420 million
- Screening and assessment: $90 million
- Awareness and prevention: $33 million
- Referral and coordination of care: $15 million
- Running and checking the program: $9 million
The state can spend the money over five years. The state had asked for a longer, larger plan. The judge shortened it and lowered the amount, in part because other social media companies share responsibility for the harm. He said separate orders will cover how the fund is run and how money is drawn from it.
Did your child develop anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, or self-harm during heavy Instagram or Facebook use? You can request a free case review.
Check My EligibilityWhat Changes for Teens in New Mexico
The judgment sets rules for New Mexico accounts belonging to users under 18. These are the main ones.
- Instagram accounts stay private by default, and only a parent can change the safety settings.
- Meta may not suggest a teen's account to adults the teen is not connected with. Adults the teen is not connected with cannot message them.
- Teens may not have romantic or sexual conversations with Meta's AI chatbots.
- No notifications from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., or from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. Messages from connections and urgent alerts can still come through.
- Like counts are hidden unless a parent allows them.
- Use is capped at 90 hours a month across Facebook and Instagram.
- Meta must ask for proof of age from users it believes are under 13, and mark accounts that are not verified within 30 days for deletion.
- New teen users see a daily safety screen for their first 30 days, and all teens see a weekly link to Meta's safety and parent guides.
The judgment also covers child safety reporting. A person must review every new report of child sexual abuse material in New Mexico before Meta sends it to the national reporting center. Meta must also train New Mexico law enforcement twice a year and fund a statewide education campaign. The rules last five years, and Meta must report its progress to the court twice a year.
What the Judge Did Not Order
The state asked for more. The judge declined to order changes to autoplay, endless scrolling or Meta's recommendation feeds. He said changes to those features would need to come from lawmakers or apply to the whole industry. He also declined to require stricter age checks at sign-up, and he did not appoint an outside monitor.
What This Means for Families
The penalty goes to the state, and the fund pays for mental health services in New Mexico. There is no claim form, and families do not receive payments from either one. Families who believe social media harmed their child bring their own lawsuits, which are a separate track. Those cases are covered on our Social Media Addiction Lawsuit page.
New Mexico is also not one of the states in Meta's $17.1 billion settlement from August 2026. Its case continues on its own. The settlement is covered on our Meta Lawsuit page.
What Happens Next
Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal. In early September 2026, it asked the judge to change most of his findings or grant a new trial. The five-year period for the rules is paused while an appeal is pending, as long as Meta posts a bond. The judge also plans more hearings on how the $567 million fund will be run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same case as the California addiction verdict?
No. New Mexico's attorney general brought this case under state law, and the money goes to the state. The Los Angeles verdict came in a young woman's own injury lawsuit against Meta and YouTube. The two verdicts came one day apart in March 2026.
How much does Meta owe New Mexico?
About $942 million in total. The jury set a $375 million penalty in March 2026. In August, the judge ordered Meta to pay another $567 million into a fund for youth mental health services. Meta is fighting both.
Can families get money from the New Mexico judgment?
No. The penalty goes to the state, and the $567 million fund pays for services such as screening and treatment. There is no claim form for families. A family's own injury lawsuit is a separate case.
When do the new teen rules take effect in New Mexico?
The judge set a five-year period for the rules. That period is paused while Meta appeals, as long as Meta posts a bond, so the timing depends on the appeal.
Is New Mexico part of Meta's $17.1 billion state settlement?
No. New Mexico is not one of the states in the August 2026 settlement. Its own case against Meta continues separately.
Is Meta appealing?
Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal. In early September 2026, it asked the judge to change most of his findings or grant a new trial.
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