Biedscheid’ s order also compels Meta to make changes to its platforms in New Mexico, including removing“ like” counts and only showing them to minors with parental consent, and prohibiting overnight push notifications for users under age 18.“ Regardless of whether it is labeled as an‘ addiction’ or‘ problematic use,’ the evidence at trial proved that design elements, such as autoplay, infinite scroll,‘ like counts,’ and push notifications create a product that, particularly for adolescent users, is highly rewarding psychologically and neurochemically,” he wrote.“ As a result, for many, it is irresistibly compelling to start scrolling and very difficult to stop or abstain from its use.”
“ In addition,” the judge added,“ algorithmic content recommendations can create harmful feedback loops and‘ rabbit hole’ users. Within a similar vein,‘ like counts’... can provide a potentially harmful focus for adolescent users.” companies, we should expect to see a lot more injunctive relief to make online platforms used by young people safer.”
“ This ruling also clearly indicates why families need the Kids Online Safety Act,” Golin added, referring to a controversial bill advanced this week by the Senate Commerce Committee.“ The judge said it was up to Congress to address the addictive features on Instagram and other social media platforms. KOSA’ s duty of care against compulsive use is the key to ensuring that Meta and other social media companies stop designing for addiction, as addictive design is the root of all social media harms.”
Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement:“ This verdict is an important step towards creating safer social media for children and young people. For years, Amnesty International has warned that major social media platforms have been designed to maximize engagement and profit, while failing to adequately protect children’ s rights.”
“ This verdict is an important step towards creating safer social media for children and young people.”— Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said the company would appeal the ruling, claiming:“ We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and have been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content. We remain confident in our record of protecting teens online and will continue to defend ourselves against claims that misrepresent the facts.”
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez hailed the ruling, saying that“ Meta built products it knew would fuel addiction, deepen a youth mental health crisis, and expose children to sexual exploitation, then lied to parents and policymakers about the danger. Today, it pays for that choice.”
At Fairplay— a children’ s advocacy group— executive director Josh Golin hailed the“ landmark ruling” as“ the clearest indication yet that the tide is turning when it comes to protecting kids from social media.”
“ For the first time, Meta is being compelled by a court to change its dangerous and harmful design,” he continued.“ And with so many states lined up to sue Meta and other social media
“ Crucially, the court went beyond imposing a financial penalty,” he continued.“ By ordering changes to platform features, including removing‘ like’ counts for people under 18 and restricting overnight notifications, the ruling recognizes that the harms children experience online are often the result of deliberate design choices.”
“ Amnesty has been calling for exactly this kind of action,” Mazzola added.“ Child safety must be built into platforms from the start, not added as an afterthought once harms are identified. This decision sends a clear message that social media companies cannot continue to prioritize engagement at the expense of children’ s well-being and rights.”
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal( D-Wash.) said on Bluesky:“ This is good news. For far too long, Big Tech corporations have put their bottom lines ahead of the health and safety of kids on their platforms.”
“ Congress must continue to push for accountability and real guardrails for companies like Meta as tech giants continue to grow,” added Jayapal, who was critical of the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act approved by the House of Representatives in June.
US Sen. Bernie Sanders( I-Vt.) also welcomed the ruling, posting on X that billionaire Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’ s“ greed is fueling a youth mental health crisis in America.”
“ Today, a judge ordered Meta to pay a $ 567 million fine for the damage it has done to our kids,” Sanders added.“ Good start. We cannot allow Meta to put its short-term profits above the emotional well-being of our kids.”
Brett Wilkins is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
38 The Trial Lawyer