Meta has been ordered by a New Mexico court to contribute $567 million to a fund designed to mitigate mental health challenges allegedly linked to its social media platforms’ impact on children. This decision builds on a March jury verdict that found the tech giant responsible for knowingly causing harm to children’s mental health and failing to sufficiently address child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The recent ruling has increased Meta’s total financial liability in this case to $942 million.

Out of the newly awarded amount, $420 million is earmarked specifically for mental health treatment services for young people in New Mexico. The remaining funds are allocated to support prevention and awareness programs, as well as screening services and other initiatives over a five-year period. In addition to the financial penalties, the court has mandated that Meta enhance child-safety measures on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. These improvements involve refining age-assurance systems, offering clearer information about safety and privacy tools, and establishing methods to identify users potentially under the age of 13.

Furthermore, Meta is required to collaborate with schools or child-safety organizations to develop a system for reporting accounts suspected of being managed by children under 13. The company must also delete any personal information collected from users below this age threshold and provide biannual progress reports on its compliance with the court’s directives. However, the court refrained from imposing a universal age verification system solely in New Mexico, citing fairness concerns and existing federal privacy protections for children.

Meta has expressed its disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal. The company maintains that it is committed to protecting its users and has made efforts to address harmful content and online safety issues. This case is part of a broader wave of legal challenges facing Meta, as similar lawsuits are progressing in other states across the United States, all focusing on allegations that its platforms can negatively impact young users’ well-being.