A massive legal battle in New Mexico just entered its second and most dangerous phase. State prosecutors want a judge to order Mark Zuckerberg’s tech giant, Meta, to overhaul its popular platforms. The company controls major apps like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Lawyers argue that the core design of these apps actively harms the mental health of young children and enables severe exploitation. If the judge agrees, this trial could fundamentally change how social media platforms operate worldwide.
This aggressive second phase follows a very damaging first round in court. Back in March, a local jury ruled against the tech giant and ordered Meta to pay exactly $375 million in civil penalties. The jurors decided that the massive company engaged in unconscionable trade practices. The jury believed the company unfairly exploited the natural vulnerabilities and simple inexperience of young children just to make more money. Furthermore, the court found Meta guilty of thousands of violations of the state’s Unfair Practices Act.
Meta refuses to accept the massive fine without a fight. A spokesperson told reporters that the company strongly disagrees with the jury’s verdict and plans to file an appeal very soon. The spokesperson insisted that Meta works incredibly hard to keep everyday people safe while they use the apps. The company also pointed out the extreme difficulty of identifying and permanently removing bad actors and harmful content from a platform that hosts over 3 billion active users every month.
The international community watches this American trial very closely. European regulators recently launched their own heavy scrutiny against the tech giant. Last week, the European Commission released a report stating that roughly 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 currently use Instagram and Facebook. This data proves that the basic age-checking tools Meta uses simply do not work. Children easily bypass the security screens by just lying about their birth dates when they create an account.
Now, the New Mexico prosecutors want to force Meta to change how its apps actually function legally. They argue that the company designed the platforms specifically to act like addictive drugs. The state wants a judge to declare the platforms a literal public nuisance under local state law. If they win this argument, the court can force Meta to redesign the secret algorithms that decide exactly what videos and pictures users see on their daily feeds.
Prosecutors presented a long list of specific, sweeping changes they demand Meta implement right away. First, they want the company to destroy the algorithms that prioritize endless user engagement over basic safety. They also demand the immediate removal of highly addictive design features, specifically targeting the infinite scroll function and the constant barrage of daily push notifications that keep kids glued to their glowing screens.
The state also demands massive upgrades to basic user security. Prosecutors want Meta to build a much stronger age verification system to keep young kids off the apps entirely. For teenagers who are allowed to use the platforms, the state wants default privacy protections turned on automatically. Furthermore, lawyers requested a new rule requiring every child account to be linked directly to a verified parent or legal guardian. Finally, the state wants the judge to appoint a strict, court-supervised child-safety monitor to oversee the company.
Meta executives argue that these extreme demands will completely ruin the basic internet experience. The company released a statement claiming that the proposed changes force it to disregard the realities of running a massive digital network. Meta lawyers plan to lean heavily on free speech protections to win the case. They argue that the state’s heavy mandates directly infringe on parents’ basic rights and actively stifle free expression for all New Mexicans.
The entire tech industry holds its breath as the trial moves forward. The courtroom battles will likely last for exactly 3 weeks. During this time, the judge will hear detailed testimony from mental health experts, criminal investigators, and top Meta executives. When the final witness leaves the stand, the judge must decide whether Meta must implement these drastic changes. If the state wins, other states and countries will quickly copy the playbook, forcing social media companies to redesign their entire business models.
