Social media firms await more legal decisions even as a jury finds Meta at fault for harming kids

The first jury verdict in a series of social media child safety trials this year is in — and it’s not looking good for Meta. A jury in New Mexico found on Tuesday that the social media giant’s platforms are harmful to children’s mental health and imposed a $375 million penalty. While the fine is a tiny fraction of Meta’s $201 billion revenue in 2025, the verdict illustrates a growing shift in the public’s perception of social media companies and their responsibilities in keeping young people safe on their platforms.