A landmark jury trial against Meta Platforms is set to begin in Santa Fe, New Mexico, centring on allegations that the social media giant’s products facilitated child sexual exploitation and failed to protect minors on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The case marks the first stand-alone state prosecution built on an undercover investigation that could influence how digital platforms are held accountable under civil law.
Filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the lawsuit accuses Meta of creating an online environment that enabled predators to contact and exploit children while prioritising engagement and advertising revenue over robust safety mechanisms. Prosecutors employed decoy accounts that appeared to belong to minors to document repeated solicitations and alleged shortcomings in Meta’s content moderation responses. The complaint frames the company’s algorithmic designs as contributing to harmful outcomes for young users.
The state’s case leverages consumer protection and public nuisance statutes that may sidestep traditional defences such as Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act and First Amendment protections, contending that Meta’s product design rather than user-generated posts lies at the heart of the harm. Meta has rejected the allegations, characterising the claims as sensationalist and defending its record on safety tools and moderation practices. The trial, expected to stretch over several weeks, could yield damage awards and mandates for changes to the company’s platforms.
The allegations build on broader scrutiny of social media firms in the United States, where multiple lawsuits have advanced to trial stages or settlements over claims ranging from mental health impacts on young people to addictive design features. In related filings, internal communications and concerns about AI-driven interactions with minors have been cited, adding layers to the legal narrative about corporate responsibility for user harm.
