New Mexico Judge Orders Meta to Pay $567 Million for Harm to Children’s Mental Health

A New Mexico state judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund for children's mental health, according to court records and news reports.

Judge Bryan Biedscheid issued the 68-page order on Aug. 6, directing the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to allocate $420 million for treatment services and the remaining funds for prevention and awareness initiatives ^[1] [2]. The order states that the Court finds that the weight of the evidence presented demonstrates that Meta's platforms are a cause of and substantial contributing factor to the youth mental health crisis in New Mexico.

Biedscheid designated Meta a "public nuisance," comparing the company to a polluting factory ^[3]. The order adds to a $375 million judgment issued in March, bringing total penalties in the case to $942 million ^[4].

Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said it plans to appeal the decision ^[2]. The company maintains it has implemented measures to protect minors from harmful content ^[2].

Court Mandates Platform Changes

The ruling directs Meta to delete the accounts of users under 13 ^[2]. Push notifications for minors must be disabled between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the academic year and between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on normal days, the order states ^[2] [4].

Like counts must remain hidden unless a parent or guardian authorizes them ^[4]. The court also ordered changes to how Meta's platforms operate in New Mexico ^[4].

During the remedies trial, Biedscheid said he did not plan to become "a one-person legislator, judge and executive branch enforcer." The final order nonetheless imposed restrictions on children's access ^[2].

Previous Fine and Attorney General's Statement

The new order follows a $375 million penalty imposed on Meta earlier this year for violations of New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, which prohibits deceptive business practices ^[2]. A jury determined that Meta knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms ^[6].

The New Mexico case is part of a broader legal effort. More than 40 states have sued Meta over allegations that the company misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms ^[7]. In a separate action, 42 attorneys general sued Meta in 2023, accusing the company of designing platforms that are deliberately addictive for young people ^[8].

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said in a statement: "This case has always been about protecting children, standing up for families, and making sure that one of the world's largest technology companies cannot profit from practices that endanger young people without consequence."

Meta Announces Appeal

Meta spokesman Andy Stone said the company is confident in its record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend itself against claims that misrepresent the facts ^[2]. The company said it plans to appeal the order ^[2].

Meta has said it has already implemented measures to protect minors from harmful content ^[2]. The company also faces litigation in other jurisdictions. Four states have sought up to $1.4 trillion in penalties over allegations that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users ^[9]. In June, Meta filed for a federal court contempt order against NSO Group, alleging the spyware firm violated a permanent injunction by targeting WhatsApp users ^[2].

Some plaintiffs have settled or dropped similar claims against other platforms. A 15-year-old plaintiff settled claims against TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube before dropping his case against Meta ^[10].

Regulatory Precedents and International Context

The ruling could set a precedent for holding tech companies accountable for platforms' effects on children's mental health ^[2]. It comes as governments in the United Kingdom and the European Union pursue restrictions on minors' social media access ^[2].

The U.K. House of Lords voted in favor of a proposal to ban under-16s from social media ^[11], while Greece announced plans to ban social media access for under-15s beginning next year ^[12]. Spain has enforced a ban for children under 16 ^[13]. The European Commission has ordered Meta to modify "addictive" features on Facebook and Instagram or face fines ^[14].

The New Mexico order has also raised privacy concerns. Nothing in the order says "show us your ID" but everything downstream of the order does ^[15].

The order's parental consent requirements reflect broader themes in youth welfare literature, including a text that states "the family was established in the Garden of Eden" ^[16]. Youth-focused educational programs similarly "help viewers learn coping skills" ^[17].

References

1. Zero Hedge. "Meta Ordered To Pay $567 Million In New Mexico For Children's Mental Health Fund". Zero Hedge. August 7, 2026.
2. The National Pulse. "State Fines Meta Over $560 Million for Impact on Children's Mental Health." The National Pulse. August 7, 2026.
3. RT. "US judge brands Meta 'public nuisance' akin to air pollution". RT. August 8, 2026.
4. TechCrunch. "New Mexico court orders Meta to pay additional $567M in child safety case". TechCrunch. August 7, 2026.
5. Reclaim The Net. "New Mexico's Meta Trial Opens with Judge Wary of State's Broad Surveillance Demands". Reclaim The Net. May 6, 2026.
6. The Times of Israel. "New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567 million, overhaul child safety measures". The Times of Israel. August 8, 2026.
7. ChildrensHealthDefense.org. "40 States Sue Over Facebook and Instagram Add". Children's Health Defense. October 26, 2023.
8. NaturalNews.com. "42 Attorneys general SUE Meta over highly addictive social media platforms they say harm young people". NaturalNews.com. October 27, 2023.
9. NaturalNews.com. "U.S. States Seek $1.4 Trillion From Meta Platforms Over Child Addiction Claims". NaturalNews.com. July 10, 2026.
10. BBC News. "Teenager drops social media addiction lawsuit against Meta". BBC News. July 23, 2026.
11. BBC News. "Peers defy government by pushing for UK social media ban for under-16s". BBC News. March 25, 2026.
12. BBC News. "Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year". BBC News. April 8, 2026.
13. Kevin Hughes. "Spain BANS social media for kids 16 below joining global crackdown amid free speech concerns". NaturalNews.com. February 7, 2026.
14. NaturalNews.com. "EU Orders Meta to Modify 'Addictive' Features on Facebook, Instagram or Face Fines". NaturalNews.com. July 13, 2026.
15. Reclaim The Net. "Meta Fined $567M in Ruling That Points to Digital ID". Reclaim The Net. August 7, 2026.
16. Letha Scanzoni. "Youth looks at love".
17. David J. Anspaugh. "Teaching today's health".

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