Meta fined 567 million dollars for exposing minors to extortion

A New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a fund supporting minors harmed by its platforms. The money will fund mental health care, health services, prevention, and awareness programs over the next five years.

The court also imposed new rules on Instagram and Facebook, including limits on teens’ screen time, disabling nighttime notifications, tighter restrictions on adults contacting minors, and stronger protections against sextortion, sexual exploitation, and inappropriate AI chatbot interactions.

The ruling follows accusations that Meta designed its platforms to keep children and teenagers engaged for longer without adequate safeguards. A jury had previously found that Meta misled users about platform safety for minors and imposed an additional $375 million fine.

Parents cannot bear the responsibility alone when platforms are designed to capture teenagers’ attention and may affect their sleep, mental health, and safety. Companies must also be responsible for creating a safer environment.