Meta Platforms is facing the first standalone trial brought by a state prosecutor against a major social media company over child safety, as opening statements began Monday in a New Mexico courtroom. The case, filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in 2023, alleges that Meta knowingly exposed children to sexual exploitation and mental health harm across its Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms in pursuit of profit.
Prosecutors built the case through an undercover investigation in which investigators posed as children on Meta's platforms and documented the sexual solicitations they received. The lawsuit accuses Meta of using algorithms and features designed to addict young users while creating what prosecutors describe as a breeding ground for child predators. The company is also charged with misrepresenting the safety of its platforms and violating state consumer protection laws.
Meta has maintained that it has invested heavily in child safety measures over the past decade. The company stated that it has worked with experts and law enforcement agencies and introduced extensive safeguards for teenage users. The trial is expected to involve sensitive and explicit material related to the exploitation of minors on the platforms.
The New Mexico case is part of a broader wave of legal action against social media companies over child harm. More than 40 state attorneys general across the United States have filed similar lawsuits against Meta, making this the first to reach trial. A separate case in Los Angeles involving Meta, YouTube, and TikTok over addiction-related claims remains pending, while Snap Inc. has settled comparable claims and TikTok reached a settlement with a plaintiff before jury selection.
The trial marks a significant moment for the technology industry, as courts begin to weigh the legal responsibility of social media platforms for the safety of their youngest users. The outcome could set a precedent for the dozens of pending cases and potentially reshape how technology companies design their products and moderate content involving minors.
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