Meta’s choice to appeal a California jury verdict that found the company responsible for harming teenagers gives an early glimpse into what might happen in a similar but larger lawsuit in New Mexico, KOAT reports. A Los Angeles jury found that Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, made addictive social media platforms that harmed young users. The appeal does not directly affect the New Mexico case, but legal experts say it shows a strategy Meta is likely to use in every major lawsuit over its platforms’ safety.
Mark Lanier, the lead lawyer for the plaintiffs in the California case against Meta and Google, said the verdict mattered because it was the first jury trial of its kind. He expects the companies to challenge almost every aspect of the trial, including the evidence, expert testimony and the judge’s jury instructions.
The New Mexico case is different. The California suit was brought by an individual plaintiff, while the New Mexico attorney general sued on behalf of the public, claiming Meta’s platforms have caused widespread harm to children in the state. Earlier this year, a New Mexico jury awarded the state $375 million in the first phase of the trial. In the second phase, a judge will decide on injunctive relief, court-ordered steps that could make Meta change how its platforms operate in New Mexico. John Day, a New Mexico lawyer following the case, said the judge is probably being extra careful because any decision will likely be closely reviewed on appeal. “Meta is going to appeal every rung of the ladder that they can,” Day told KOAT.
Meta declined to be interviewed about the New Mexico lawsuit. The company has repeatedly denied that its platforms are meant to harm young users and says it has added tools and safeguards to improve teen safety.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KOAT’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit KOAT’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
