New Mexico Takes on Meta: Attorney General Demands Major Overhaul of Child Safety on Social Media

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed for injunctive relief against Meta, demanding sweeping changes to how the tech giant manages its platforms for children. In response, Meta has threatened to pull Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp from the state entirely, escalating a high-stakes confrontation over child safety online.

This legal showdown highlights growing concerns about social media’s impact on minors and the responsibilities of tech companies. With a bench trial set to begin May 4, the outcome could reshape how platforms protect young users and influence nationwide regulatory efforts.

The Battle Begins: New Mexico’s Bold Legal Move Against Meta

Attorney General Raúl Torrez accused Meta of disregarding child safety laws, calling the company’s stance a reflection of its leadership’s priorities. Meta countered by labeling the state’s demands as technically impossible and warned that failure to reach a solution might force them to withdraw their platforms from New Mexico.

Meta is showing the world how little it cares about child safety. Meta’s refusal to follow the laws that protect our kids tells you everything you need to know about this company and the character of its leaders.—Raúl Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General

Undercover Investigation Uncovers Alarming Risks to Children

The case originated from a 2023 undercover operation where New Mexico investigators created a fake profile of a 13-year-old girl. The account was quickly targeted by adults sending exploitative messages and images, with no algorithm or safety system intervening. This evidence formed the basis of a lawsuit accusing Meta of enabling child exploitation and designing addictive apps for minors.

• Meta found liable for 75,000 violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act
• Ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties—the state’s maximum
• Internal documents revealed Meta’s concerns over encryption limiting abuse detection
• Researcher flagged up to 500,000 child exploitation cases daily on Facebook and Instagram

What New Mexico Wants: Radical Changes to Protect Minors

The upcoming trial will consider whether to impose strict new rules on Meta’s platforms for users under 18. Proposed measures include banning children under 13, linking minor accounts to guardians, restricting adult-minor messaging, eliminating end-to-end encryption for minors, and capping screen time. The state also seeks a court-appointed Child Safety Monitor funded by Meta to oversee compliance for at least five years.

• Block children under 13 and delete their data
• Require guardian-linked accounts for minors
• Prevent adults not connected to minors from messaging them
• Ban recommending minor accounts to adults
• Remove end-to-end encryption for users under 18
• Limit platform use to 90 hours per month for minors
• Ban infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications during school and sleep hours
• Establish a court-appointed Child Safety Monitor

Meta’s Defense and Wider Industry Implications

Meta argues that focusing on a single platform ignores the broader ecosystem of apps used by teens and that the state’s mandates infringe on parental rights and free expression. Despite attempts to delay or dismiss the case citing Section 230 immunity, courts have allowed the trial to proceed. Meanwhile, over 40 state attorneys general have launched similar lawsuits targeting child safety on social media.

The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily. Rather than providing comprehensive protections, the state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans.—Meta spokesperson

Looking Ahead: A Potential Turning Point for Child Safety Online

As the May 4 trial approaches, the case could set a precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for protecting children. With federal legislation on platform liability and child safety stalled, New Mexico’s aggressive legal approach may inspire other states and push tech giants to rethink their policies. The outcome will be closely watched by regulators, parents, and industry leaders alike.