Social media has long become part of life, but the question of its impact on children is causing more and more debate. The recent court decision in the state of New Mexico against Meta* is a vivid example of how far claims against platforms can go.
The court ordered the company to pay a $942 million fine for failing to protect children from harmful content. In addition, Meta must create a compensation fund of $567 million to address the consequences. In addition to financial measures, the court ordered limiting the time minors can spend on Facebook** and Instagram**, hiding likes, and disclosing the risks of using the platforms.
The plaintiff in the case was New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. He accused the company of allowing its algorithms to expose children to sexual content and become victims of predators. Meta stated that it disagrees with the decision and intends to appeal it.
This case is important not only for the United States. It raises a global question: where is the line of responsibility for social media regarding content and user safety? The decision could set a precedent for other countries that are tightening requirements for tech giants.
For lawyers of companies associated with digital products, this is a signal to review security policies. Transparency of algorithms, protection of minors, and content moderation are becoming not just ethical but also legal obligations.
And for businesses that work with social media, it is important to consider that regulators are increasingly putting user interests above profits. And if earlier fines were limited to millions, now we are talking about amounts that can seriously affect the financial stability of companies.
* Meta's activities are recognized as extremist and banned in Russia. ** Owned by Meta Platforms Inc., whose activities are banned in Russia.
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