Albuquerque, NM — Legal pressure is intensifying in the United States on major technology companies over child safety and online harms.
Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube are facing off in court this week over claims that their platforms are addictive and harmful to children, while TikTok opted to settle on Tuesday.
TikTok, however, is not off the hook. Joseph VanZandt, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that the company continues to face other personal injury lawsuits.
Meta, meanwhile, will face trial on February 2 in a lawsuit filed by the state of New Mexico.
The lawsuit accuses the social media giant — owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — of exposing children and teenagers to sexual exploitation on its platforms and profiting from it.
It is the first child safety case against Meta to reach a jury, with jury selection set to begin Monday at the Santa Fe District Court.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed the landmark case in 2023, alleging that Meta promoted illegal content and failed to prevent predators from accessing underage users across its platforms. Prosecutors allege the company’s systems enabled adults to connect with minors, in some cases leading to real-world sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Meta has denied the allegations. The company claimed it has invested heavily in safety tools and safeguards to protect young users.
The case stems from a 2023 undercover investigation dubbed “Operation MetaPhile,” conducted by Torrez’s office.
Investigators created Facebook and Instagram accounts, posing as users under 14. Those accounts allegedly received sexually explicit material. Investigators alleged that some adults contacted users seeking similar content, leading to criminal charges against three individuals.
The Meta trial next week will highlight mounting scrutiny of social media platforms over their impact on children and adolescents. It underscores a broader push by US states and lawmakers to hold Big Tech accountable for alleged online harms ti caused to users, especially minors.