Trial Begins in New Mexico Over Meta's Child Safety Practices

Mon Feb 09 2026 17:32:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The landmark trial investigates whether Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, misrepresented the safety of its platforms, exposing children to risks of sexual exploitation and mental health issues.

New Mexico's Attorney General Raúl Torrez has initiated a landmark trial against Meta, citing violations of consumer protection laws due to the company's alleged negligence in safeguarding children on its platforms. The trial will delve into how Meta's features potentially foster addiction among minors and expose them to sexual solicitations. Meta contests the accusations, claiming the investigation is ethically compromised and oversimplifies the issue of teen mental health.

SANTA FE, N.M. — In a significant legal battle that could shape the future of child safety online, a trial is set to commence in New Mexico, focusing on the alleged dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media platforms operated by Meta. The proceedings, which start with opening statements Monday, mark the first stand-alone trial by state prosecutors against a major social media company regarding harms inflicted on children.

The state’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the lawsuit in 2023, following extensive undercover research where investigators posed as minors on social media, documenting explicit sexual solicitations from users. This case seeks to hold Meta accountable for its algorithms and account features that allegedly create an environment where children are both enticed into addiction and targeted by predators.

Prosecutors will argue that Meta knowingly exposes children to the dual dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm, driven by profit motives. They claim that despite awareness of these risks, the company failed to disclose negative impacts to the public, violating consumer protection laws and creating a public nuisance.

Meta, however, strongly rejects these allegations, labeling the state’s investigation as “ethically compromised.” Spokesperson Andy Stone highlighted concerns over the use of child images in proxy accounts and claimed the state was presenting a biased account of its evidence.

During jury selection, considerable public sentiment emerged against Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, described as a “tech bro” profiting from the vulnerabilities of users. An attorney for the state warned that sensitive material regarding child safety discussions would be presented during the trial.

Over 40 state attorneys general have previously filed lawsuits against Meta, challenging the company's practices in relation to child addiction to its platforms. The New Mexico case is particularly significant as it represents the first trial of its kind, diverging from other ongoing federal cases related to similar issues.

As the trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how closely it will scrutinize the balance between corporate responsibility and child safety in an increasingly digital world.