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New Mexico’s groundbreaking trial against Meta over child safety on social media platforms commenced Monday with opening statements in Santa Fe. The case represents the first stand-alone trial brought by state prosecutors amid a wave of litigation targeting major social media companies for alleged harm to children.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez initiated the lawsuit against Meta in 2023, building the case through an undercover investigation. State investigators created social media accounts posing as minors and documented sexual solicitations they received, as well as Meta’s response to these interactions.
Prosecutors allege that Meta’s algorithms and platform features deliberately entice and addict young users to Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, while simultaneously creating what they describe as a “breeding ground” for predators targeting children. The state contends that Meta failed to disclose known harmful effects, violating New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, and has created a public nuisance.
“Meta knowingly exposes children to the twin dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm,” the lawsuit states. “Meta’s motive for doing so is profit.”
Meta vehemently denies these allegations. On Sunday, company spokesperson Andy Stone posted on X (formerly Twitter) calling the state’s investigation “ethically compromised,” criticizing investigators’ use of child photos on proxy accounts, delays in reporting child sexual abuse material, and the disposal of data from devices used in the investigation.
The tech giant maintains that the lawsuit oversimplifies complex issues related to teen mental health by placing undue blame on social media platforms. Meta points to its decade-long efforts to protect young users, including the implementation of various safety features, such as tools providing teens with more information about who they’re chatting with and content restrictions based on PG-13 movie ratings.
“For over a decade, we’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most,” Meta said in a statement. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made.”
It remains uncertain whether Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify during the trial. New Mexico law limits the ability to compel out-of-state witnesses to appear in person, though prosecutors can present testimony from Zuckerberg’s deposition.
During jury selection from a pool exceeding 200 Santa Fe County residents, personal opinions about Zuckerberg and attitudes toward social media emerged as significant factors. The jury includes educators, young adults who grew up using social media, and others who have never created accounts. One potential juror characterized Zuckerberg as “the tech bro making money off of all of us.”
A state attorney warned that the trial would include “very sensitive and very explicit material discussed in terms of safety to children.”
The New Mexico case represents the tip of a much larger legal iceberg. More than 40 state attorneys general have filed similar lawsuits against Meta, alleging the company deliberately designs features that addict children to its platforms. While most of these cases were filed in federal court, New Mexico’s is the first to reach trial.
Meanwhile, a separate bellwether trial in California involving claims against Meta’s Instagram, Google’s YouTube, and other platforms has seen its opening statements postponed. That case centers on a 19-year-old who claims early social media use led to technology addiction and worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snapchat’s parent company have already settled claims in that case.
Torrez, a Democrat running for reelection this year, has demanded Meta implement more effective age verification systems and remove predatory users from its platforms. He has also called for changes to algorithms that can expose users to harmful content and criticized end-to-end encryption practices that prevent the monitoring of communications with children.
The outcome of this trial could set an important precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for protecting young users in an increasingly digital world.
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17 Comments
This trial is an important step in holding Meta accountable for its alleged failures to protect children on its platforms. I hope it leads to substantive changes in the industry.
Absolutely. Tech companies must be compelled to prioritize user safety, especially for minors, over profits and growth at all costs.
This case underscores the urgent need for tighter regulations and oversight of social media companies’ practices, especially when it comes to protecting children online. Profit should never come before safety.
Exactly. Tech firms cannot be allowed to prioritize growth and engagement at the expense of vulnerable users. Meaningful reforms are long overdue.
The details of this case are deeply troubling. While social media has many benefits, the risks it poses to young users’ wellbeing and safety must be addressed more proactively by platforms.
Kudos to the New Mexico Attorney General for taking on this important case against Meta. The alleged exploitation of minors on their platforms is unacceptable and demands stronger action.
I agree. This trial could set a crucial precedent for greater accountability and reform in the social media industry when it comes to protecting children.
It’s appalling to learn of Meta’s alleged complicity in enabling the sexual exploitation of minors on their platforms. This lawsuit is an important step, but much more needs to be done.
Kudos to the New Mexico Attorney General for taking on this important case against Meta. The alleged exploitation of minors on their platforms is unacceptable and demands stronger action.
Disturbing to see how social media platforms can be abused to exploit vulnerable children. This case highlights the need for stronger safeguards and transparency from tech companies to protect young users.
Absolutely. Profit motives must not come at the cost of child safety. Stricter regulations and accountability are crucial to prevent these harms.
This trial is a crucial step in holding social media companies accountable for the harms their products can cause, especially to vulnerable young users. I hope it leads to meaningful reforms.
Agreed. Platforms must be held responsible for the negative consequences of their algorithms and design choices, even if driven by profit motives.
The details of this case are deeply troubling. While social media has many benefits, the risks it poses to young users’ wellbeing and safety must be addressed more proactively by platforms.
Exactly. This trial highlights the urgent need for greater transparency, oversight, and accountability measures around social media’s impact on children.
I’m glad to see this case brought against Meta. The allegations of their algorithms and features enabling predatory behavior towards minors are very concerning. More must be done to protect children online.
Agreed. Tech companies need to prioritize child safety over growth and engagement at all costs. This trial could set an important precedent.