New Mexico judge orders Meta to fund youth mental health treatment
A state court found Meta liable for creating a public nuisance and directed the company to help pay for treatment tied to youth mental health harms.
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to contribute $567 million to a fund for youth mental health treatment after finding the company created a public nuisance, according to court reporting. The ruling was issued in the United States on Friday.
The order follows claims that the company’s platforms played a role in worsening mental health problems among young people. The fund is intended to support treatment as part of the response to that crisis.
The case adds to wider scrutiny of social media companies over their impact on children and teenagers. Meta has not been described in the source material as having responded to the ruling.
The decision comes as courts and lawmakers in the US continue to examine the effects of online platforms on young users and the costs of addressing related harms.
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