Meta's Dilemma: Leaving New Mexico or Changing Its Apps for Kids
May 4, 2026 - 7:43 am
A bench trial in Santa Fe is set to determine if Meta must implement significant changes to its platforms, including age verification, algorithm modifications, and a substantial mental health fund. The company has threatened to pull Facebook and Instagram from the state as a potential outcome.
Background
In March, a New Mexico jury found that Meta (formerly Facebook) had violated consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety of its apps for young users, leading to a $375 million penalty. Now, in phase two of this case, Attorney General Raúl Torrez seeks to address the harm caused and force Meta to make substantial changes to its platforms.
The State's Demands
New Mexico requests that Meta:
- Implement age verification measures.
- Redesign its recommendation algorithms to prioritize user engagement for all users, not just minors.
- Limit push notifications and infinite scrolling for users under 18.
- Cap children's monthly platform time at 90 hours.
- Provide $3.7 billion for teen mental health services across the state.
These demands are significant as they could lead to a court-ordered rewrite of Meta's product specifications, a first in the U.S. for a global social media platform.
The Case's Origin
The lawsuit dates back to 2023 when Torrez filed it, citing an undercover operation that created a fake Instagram profile for a 13-year-old girl, which was flooded with inappropriate content and targeted solicitations.