Kathmandu— A judge in New Mexico has ruled that Facebook and Instagram owner Meta must pay $567 million and implement significant changes to its platforms for young users, following findings that the company harmed children’s mental health. The ruling came in the second phase of a landmark trial where jurors previously found Meta had violated state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety of its social media sites for minors.

Monetary and Platform Changes

The $567 million will be allocated with $420 million going towards treatment services for young people, while the remaining funds will support awareness, prevention, screening services, and other costs over five years. The judge also ordered Meta to make fundamental changes to its platforms, including building banner and informational screens that clearly explain protection features, best practices, and tools to address inappropriate comments.

Meta's Response

In response to the ruling, Meta stated it would appeal the decision. The company emphasized its efforts in identifying and removing harmful content from its platforms and expressed confidence in its record of protecting teens online. 'We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts,' said a statement from the company.

Broader Implications

The case is being closely watched across the United States as other states, municipalities, and school districts pursue similar legal actions aimed at forcing changes in the social media industry. The ruling could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for their impact on young users' mental health.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.