Meta ordered to pay $567 million over child protection failures

Published August 7, 2026 9:29am ET | Updated August 7, 2026 9:29am ET



A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $567 million to address harm caused to children from Facebook and Instagram, expanding the financial and operational consequences of a landmark case over the social media giant’s handling of safety for young users.

The ruling, issued Thursday by District Judge Bryan Biedscheid, requires the company to establish a fund aimed at treating and preventing mental health harms linked to its platforms. Of the total, about $420 million will go toward treatment services for children and teenagers, while the remainder will support prevention, screening, and public awareness programs over the next five years.

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