Consumer8/17/2026

New Mexico Court Orders Meta to Allocate $576 Million for Teen Rehabilitation

A U.S. court in the state of New Mexico linked Meta’s practices on Facebook and Instagram to the deterioration of minors’ mental health. In addition to paying $576 million, the court ordered the company to impose age and time restrictions, although the source indicates that an appeal may be filed.

Key facts

•The decision was issued by a court in the state of New Mexico in August 2026
•Meta must pay $576 million
•The assistance program will run for five years
•The prescribed limit for minors is 90 hours per month
•Accounts belonging to children under the age of 13 must be deleted
•The source did not state the case number or the applicable statute

What the Court Concluded

According to the published review, the court concluded that Meta deliberately used mechanisms that encourage minors to remain on social networks longer: infinite scrolling, like counts, pop-up notifications, and personalized recommendations. The court also recognized a direct link between screen time and increased rates of anxiety, depression, sleep and eating disorders, attention problems, and suicidal behavior. Meta’s digital product was likened to a source of public harm that causes medical, social, and economic costs.

Payment and Assistance Program

Meta was ordered to pay $576 million into a special fund. The money must finance a five-year educational and rehabilitation program for teenagers. The source did not state the case number, the court’s exact name, the specific date of the decision, or the applicable statutes.

What Restrictions Were Imposed

Meta was ordered to verify users’ ages and delete the accounts of children under the age of 13, as well as limit minors’ total use of Facebook and Instagram to 90 hours per month. The company must not recommend that unknown adults contact children, allow minors to send or receive images of naked bodies, send them notifications at night or during school hours, or display like counts. In addition, Meta must warn of suspected sexual exploitation, disclose the risks of excessive use, and ensure that an employee handles complaints.

Why the Decision Is Still Not Final

The author of the review believes that Meta is likely to appeal. In the author’s assessment, some of the orders may be reconsidered because the court effectively assumed a broad regulatory role and established rules for the long-term oversight of a technology platform. The source itself does not clarify whether the decision has become final.

The Situation in Israel

The described orders were issued by a U.S. court and do not, by themselves, establish rules for Meta users in Israel. The author notes that Israel has no independent body that comprehensively regulates social networks and the risks they create for minors. The cited Tel Aviv Municipality initiative to restrict phones in schools does not address platform use outside school hours.

What this means for you

The decision does not create direct rights or restrictions for residents of Israel because it was issued in the United States. However, it illustrates measures that can be applied to platforms to protect children, including age verification, restrictions on notifications and screen time, a ban on dangerous contacts, and transparent warnings about risks. The final scope of Meta’s obligations may change if the decision is challenged.

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Case analysis based on court rulings