A judge in New Mexico, United States, has ordered Meta to pay a total of $942 million and imposed new restrictions on Facebook and Instagram for five years to better protect underage users. The decision, issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026, marks another major development in legal proceedings across the United States concerning the impact of major digital platforms on children and teenagers.
The $942 million penalty consists of $567 million allocated to a restitution fund, which will notably support programs focused on mental health and prevention among young people. It also includes $375 million in civil penalties previously awarded in March 2026 by a Santa Fe jury, which found that Meta had violated New Mexico’s consumer protection laws.
Beyond the financial penalty, the ruling imposes a series of measures directly targeting minors’ use of Meta’s platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid has capped the combined use of Facebook and Instagram by minors in the state at 90 hours per month. Notifications must also be disabled during certain nighttime periods and school hours. The number of “Likes” will also have to be hidden by default.
The ruling further introduces measures aimed at reducing risks associated with online interactions. Romantic or sexualized exchanges between minors and Meta’s artificial intelligence chatbots are prohibited. The company must also strengthen its handling of reports involving sexual exploitation, with such reports required to undergo human review within 48 hours.
Interactions between adults and minors will also face additional restrictions. Adults will be prohibited from messaging minors who are not among their contacts. In addition, accounts suspected of belonging to children under the age of 13 must be removed when their age cannot be verified. These measures are intended in particular to reduce young users’ exposure to predators and potentially harmful content.
Meta has announced that it intends to appeal the decision, stating that it disagrees with the ruling while reaffirming its commitment to improving the safety of teenagers on its platforms. However, the new restrictions will not immediately take effect during the appeal process if the company posts a bond.
For now, the decision applies only to New Mexico, but it could have broader implications for the growing debate in the United States over social media companies’ responsibility to protect minors. Meta is facing several other legal proceedings involving child safety and the impact of social media platforms on young users. Another trial involving the company is also expected in California.
Beyond the unprecedented size of the penalty, the case highlights growing pressure on major technology companies in the United States. Authorities and courts are increasingly examining how far platforms’ responsibilities should extend when it comes to protecting minors, particularly from risks associated with excessive digital use, harmful content, interactions with strangers and emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
