Meta is weighing a dramatic move to pull Facebook and Instagram from New Mexico as prosecutors push for sweeping child safety reforms on its platforms.
WEBDESK – NJNEWSLINE
Social media giant Meta Platforms Inc. is considering shutting down access to Facebook and Instagram in the U.S. state of New Mexico amid an escalating legal battle over child safety and mental health concerns.
The potential move comes ahead of a bench trial next week, where state prosecutors are seeking major changes to how Meta designs and manages accounts for young users. Authorities argue that current platform features contribute to addictive behavior and expose children to harmful content.
The case follows a previous jury decision that resulted in $375 million in civil penalties against Meta, with findings that the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and failed to act on concerns related to child sexual exploitation.
New Mexico prosecutors are urging the court to mandate stricter age verification systems, enhanced privacy protections for minors, and limitations on features seen as addictive. They are also pushing for parental oversight requirements and independent monitoring of safety improvements.
If Meta proceeds with withdrawing its platforms from New Mexico, it would mark an unprecedented step by a major tech company in response to state-level regulation.
The lawsuit is part of a broader legal wave, with more than 40 state attorneys general across the United States filing similar cases against Meta, accusing the company of contributing to a growing mental health crisis among young users.
The outcome of the New Mexico case could set a significant precedent for how social media companies operate and are regulated across the country.
