A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay an additional $567 million in a child safety case, raising the company's total financial penalty in the matter to $942 million.
The court also directed Meta to adjust how its platforms work for younger users. Under the ruling, Like counts would be hidden from children unless a parent or guardian approves them, push notifications for underage accounts would pause overnight, and monthly usage would be capped at 90 hours.
In the ruling, the judge said the company's platforms have contributed to harmful outcomes for many young people in New Mexico, including distraction from education and broader mental health concerns. The court described the issue as a public nuisance that Meta must address.
Meta said it plans to appeal and defended its efforts to protect teens online. The company said it continues to work on identifying harmful behavior and removing bad actors from its services.
The decision follows another legal setback for the company in Los Angeles earlier this year and comes as Meta faces additional cases across the United States. The ruling adds new pressure on major platforms to design digital spaces that better support younger audiences. The future of social media may increasingly be shaped by stronger safety standards and more age-aware product design.
