Feb 5, 10:46 AM
Meta Faces Jury Trial in New Mexico Over Alleged Child Safety Failures
State prosecutors accuse the tech giant of allowing sexual exploitation of minors on its platforms, while Meta says existing safeguards are being ignored.
Meta has gone on trial in the US state of New Mexico in a closely watched lawsuit that accuses the company of exposing children to serious harm on its social media platforms, including sexual exploitation and abuse.
The case, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, alleges that platforms owned by Meta — including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — create environments that allow minors to be targeted for sexual solicitation, coercion and extortion. Prosecutors argue that these online interactions can escalate into real-world abuse and, in some cases, human trafficking. These claims are presented as allegations and have not yet been proven in court.
The lawsuit follows an undercover investigation carried out by the attorney general’s office in 2023. According to prosecutors, the probe found that Meta failed to adequately prevent illegal activity involving minors and continued to recommend content and connections through algorithms that allegedly prioritised engagement over child safety. The state is seeking to hold the company legally responsible for what it describes as systemic risks built into its platforms.
Meta has rejected the accusations, stating that it has invested heavily in tools, moderation systems and policies designed to protect young users. The company argues that it actively removes harmful content and cooperates with law enforcement. Meta previously asked the court to dismiss the case, citing free speech protections and federal laws that limit platform liability, but the judge ruled that the trial could proceed.
The New Mexico case is one of several legal challenges Meta is facing in 2026 related to alleged harm to minors. In Los Angeles, a separate and high-profile lawsuit is underway in which families and school districts are suing Meta alongside TikTok and YouTube. That case argues the platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive for children, contributing to mental health problems — claims that the companies involved deny.
Beyond the United States, Meta continues to face regulatory and legal pressure worldwide. The company has been designated an extremist organisation in Russia since 2022 and has been targeted by European authorities with major antitrust penalties, alongside ongoing investigations related to data protection, copyright and digital advertising practices.
The trial also unfolds amid a broader global push to tighten rules around children’s access to social media. Several governments have moved to restrict or ban social media use by minors, with Australia already prohibiting access for under-16s and countries such as Denmark, France, Spain and Italy advancing similar proposals.
As the jury trial gets underway, the outcome could set an important precedent for how far governments can go in holding social media companies accountable for the safety of younger users — and whether algorithmic design choices can carry legal consequences.
