Meta finds itself in the legal crosshairs once again, this time facing a singular accusation from the state of New Mexico. The trial, which commenced this week, centers on allegations that the social media giant, through its platforms like Facebook and Instagram, failed to adequately protect child users from online predators. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has asserted that Meta’s platforms have become a conduit for the targeting and exploitation of minors.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2023, contends that Meta actively “steered and connected users — including children — to sexually explicit, exploitative and child sex abuse materials and facilitated human trafficking” within the state. Torrez articulated the core of the state’s claim, stating, “What we are really alleging is that Meta has created a dangerous product, a product that enables not only the targeting of children, but the exploitation of children in virtual spaces and in the real world.”
This legal challenge is part of a larger wave of litigation impacting Meta and the broader social media landscape, with some experts drawing parallels to the landmark lawsuits against “Big Tobacco” in the 1990s. The comparison arises from the alleged profound harm these platforms can inflict on users, coupled with accusations of past efforts by companies to downplay negative consequences.
Indeed, earlier this year, a significant trial began in Los Angeles, involving allegations that Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap failed to disclose the potential mental health risks associated with their social and video-streaming applications, despite internal knowledge of their detrimental effects on young users. Notably, TikTok and Snap reached settlements with a plaintiff in that case prior to the trial’s commencement.
The opening statements in the Los Angeles trial were postponed due to the unexpected illness of a lead attorney. However, a Meta spokesperson confirmed that eighteen jury members were impaneled, and opening arguments were scheduled to begin on Monday. Key figures from Meta are slated to testify, including Instagram head Adam Mosseri, expected to take the stand this Wednesday, followed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg a week later.
Many of the claims brought forth by New Mexico are informed by an undercover operation conducted by the attorney general’s office. This operation involved creating a deceptive social media profile modeled after a 13-year-old girl. Torrez previously shared with CNBC that this fabricated profile was “simply inundated with images and targeted solicitations, which, frankly, I found to be shocking.”
Meta has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining in public statements its “longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Torrez, however, emphasized that while significant financial penalties are a possibility, his primary objective is to compel substantive changes from the company. “We need to have real age verification. We need to have changes to product design so that they don’t connect kids with, with predators on the platform. We need full disclosures in terms of making their users aware of the … potential harm and danger,” he stated.
While social media platforms often cite Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act as a shield against liability for user-generated content, the ongoing lawsuits broadly highlight concerns that the very design and features of these applications may be endangering young users.
Further complicating the legal landscape, another federal trial is slated to commence later this year in the Northern District of California. This case also involves Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snap, and focuses on allegations that these companies developed flawed applications leading to the development of unhealthy and addictive behaviors in teenagers and children.
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