A recording of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, was played for jurors during the civil trial against the company for endangering minors, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on March 4, 2026. JIM WEBER/AP
A potentially landmark legal ruling on the dangers of social media for children has been expected for several days in Los Angeles, California, but a separate one ultimately came from New Mexico on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 24. A Santa Fe jury ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, to pay $375 million in damages in a civil case brought for endangering minors.
"The jury's verdict is a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta's choice to put profits over kids' safety," said New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who initiated the case. "Today, the jury joined families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough." Meta, for its part, said through a spokesperson that it "respectfully disagrees with the verdict." The tech giant announced it would appeal the decision.
In the complaint filed in 2023, the attorney general argued that the apps created by Mark Zuckerberg's company were "prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex." The trial was based on an investigation by the state of New Mexico, during which agents created social media accounts posing as children to document sexual solicitations and Meta's response.
