New Mexico attorney general hopes Meta ruling leads to Big Tech review. Here's what to know

Japan is considering a unique strategy to safeguard children from the potential harms of social media, contrasting sharply with global trends of outright bans. A sociology professor has raised concerns that a comprehensive prohibition might drive children into more hidden corners of the internet or lead them to falsify their ages, thereby complicating efforts to identify and prevent online exploitation. In a parallel development, New Mexico’s attorney general, Raúl Torrez, expressed hope that a recent court ruling against Meta could catalyze broader reforms within the tech industry. On Thursday, a state court ruled that Meta must pay $567 million and implement measures to shield minors from harm. This decision marks the culmination of the second phase of a high-profile trial, during which jurors had previously found Meta responsible for harming children’s mental health and concealing knowledge of child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The initial phase of the case resulted in a $375 million judgment, bringing the total liability to $942 million. Judge Bryan Biedscheid mandated that Meta overhaul its platforms to eliminate addictive elements, enhance age verification processes, and prevent child sexual exploitation. These changes include the introduction of banners and informational screens explaining safety features, best practices, and tools for handling inappropriate content, which will be reviewed by the state. Torrez emphasized the importance of improving Meta’s response to reports of child sexual abuse, restricting interactions between chatbots and children, and limiting daily usage time for users under 17. Additionally, Meta is required to refine its age verification systems, utilizing AI to analyze user behavior and content consumption patterns. An educational initiative in New Mexico will accompany these modifications, aiming to foster a safer digital environment for youth. The ruling also allocated $420 million for treatment services for affected individuals, while the remaining funds will support awareness campaigns, preventive measures, and related expenses over the next five years. However, the distribution of these funds and the timing of their release remain uncertain, as Meta may challenge the ruling and potentially delay payment until its appeal is resolved. Meta has announced its intention to contest the decision, asserting that it prioritizes user safety and has been open about the difficulties of identifying and removing harmful content. The company noted that it remains confident in its efforts to protect teenagers online and will continue defending itself against what it deems misrepresented claims. Despite the financial impact, Meta reported a profit of approximately $60 billion in 2025, the stock market initially reacted with a slight decline but later rebounded. Torrez anticipates continued legal battles and legislative advocacy from Meta, both in New Mexico and at the national level. He expects the company to deploy its legal resources aggressively in Santa Fe and Washington, D.C., to influence policy outcomes. Meanwhile, in federal court in California, Meta faces the first four of 29 states that have sued it over its alleged contribution to the youth mental health crisis through design choices on Instagram and Facebook. Additional states, including Tennessee, are pursuing similar cases in their respective courts. Recently, Meta joined TikTok, Snap, and Google’s YouTube in facing scrutiny over their roles in shaping the online experiences of younger users.