New Mexico jury deliberates Meta lawsuit alleging harm to teen users
A New Mexico jury began deliberations in a landmark trial where prosecutors accuse Meta of misleading people about platform safety for children and prioritizing profits over safeguarding minors from harmful content and adult contact. The state seeks more than $2 billion in damages for an estimated 203,800 affected teens.
What happened
A Santa Fe jury began deliberations March 23, 2026, after a seven-week trial in New Mexico's lawsuit against Meta alleging the company violated state consumer protection laws and misled the public about safety risks to young users.
Prosecutors claimed Meta's algorithms recommended sensational and harmful content to teenagers, that the company failed to enforce its minimum age requirement of 13, and that it misrepresented safeguards against adult contact with minors while prioritizing growth and ad revenue over safety.
Reported impact
The state alleged that Meta's platforms caused harm to approximately 203,800 teens in New Mexico and that young people lost control over their use of the company's products due to its algorithms.
Index analysis
The prosecution presented testimony from local teachers, psychiatric experts, state investigators, top Meta officials and company whistleblowers over six weeks. Meta disputed the allegations and argued it provides built-in protections for teenagers and removes harmful content, though some harmful material may reach users.
Governance controls
New Mexico prosecutors requested maximum civil penalties of $5,000 per count on two charges—misrepresentation of safety and unconscionable practices—applied to the 203,800 affected teens, totaling more than $2 billion in damages.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.