New Mexico court orders Meta to fund $567 million youth-safety remedy

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund intended to address harms to young people linked to Facebook and Instagram, adding to a $375 million penalty imposed after a jury verdict in March.

The Thursday, 6 August 2026, order directs $420 million toward treatment services for young people in New Mexico. The remainder is designated for awareness and prevention work, screening services and other costs over five years. Together, the two phases bring Meta’s liability in the case to $942 million.

The court also ordered changes to how Facebook and Instagram explain safety tools and required continued improvements to age-assurance systems in New Mexico. Meta must report twice yearly on its compliance and attempt to develop a model for identifying users under 13 within two years.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez described the decision as a measure to protect children and hold a major technology company accountable. Meta said it disagreed with the ruling and planned to appeal, arguing that it works to protect users and that the claims misrepresent its record.

The case is among several US legal challenges alleging that social-media product design and safety practices harmed young users. The New Mexico judgment may face further proceedings through Meta’s planned appeal.