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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 7, 2026Miami-Dade

New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567 million for youth mental health programs

A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million to fund youth mental health treatment, awareness, and prevention services over the next five years. The ruling also mandates that Meta implement new age-assurance tools and reporting portals for users under 13 in New Mexico.

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Why It Matters

This ruling imposes nearly $1 billion in total financial penalties on Meta in New Mexico and requires specific changes to how the company manages youth accounts and age verification within the state.

Key Facts

  • Meta is ordered to pay $567 million in the second phase of a New Mexico trial.
  • $420 million of the penalty is designated for youth treatment services.
  • The remaining funds will support awareness, prevention, and screening over five years.
  • This penalty is in addition to $375 million in civil penalties ordered in March.
  • Meta's total liability in New Mexico is now $942 million.
  • Meta must develop an 'under-13-years-of-age prediction model' within two years.
  • Meta must request proof of age for users estimated to be under 13 in New Mexico.
  • Meta must partner with schools to create a portal for reporting users suspected to be under 13.
  • Meta is required to delete personal information collected on users under 13.
  • Meta must submit compliance progress reports to the state twice a year.
  • The court declined to order specific age-verification tools due to federal COPPA restrictions.
  • Meta has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Who's Mentioned

organizationMeta“Parent company of Instagram and Facebook”otherChildren’s Online Privacy Protection Act“Federal law limiting age verification”personRaúl Torrez“New Mexico Attorney General”personBryan Biedscheid“New Mexico judge presiding over the case”