A US trial examining the risks of child sexual exploitation on social media and whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms is set to begin in the state of New Mexico, with opening statements scheduled for Tuesday (NZ time). Reported by 1 News.
The case is the first stand-alone trial brought by state prosecutors in a series of lawsuits against major social media companies over alleged harm to children. It is expected to feature explicit material and focus on how online content affects young users.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the lawsuit against Meta in 2023. Prosecutors say their investigation involved creating social media accounts posing as children and documenting the sexual solicitations that followed, along with Meta’s response. Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The prosecution alleges that Meta’s algorithms and account features encouraged excessive use among young people while creating what they describe as a “breeding ground” for predators seeking to sexually exploit children.
They further claim Meta failed to disclose what it knew about these harms, in violation of state consumer protection laws, and accuse the company of creating a public nuisance.
“Meta knowingly exposes children to the twin dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm,” the lawsuit states.
“Meta’s motive for doing so is profit.”
Meta has denied any legal wrongdoing, arguing that prosecutors are selectively using evidence to make sensational claims. On Sunday (local time), the company described the state’s investigation as “ethically compromised”, citing concerns about the use of child photos on proxy accounts, delays in reporting child sexual abuse material, and the disposal of data from devices used during the investigation. The comments were shared on X by company spokesperson Andy Stone.
The company said the lawsuits unfairly blame social media for teen mental health issues and oversimplify complex problems. Meta also highlighted what it described as a long-standing commitment to youth safety, pointing to new tools and settings, including features that provide teens with more information about who they are communicating with and content restrictions similar to PG-13 movie ratings.
“For over a decade, we’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most," the company said.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made."
It remains unclear whether Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify in person. While New Mexico law limits compelling out-of-state witnesses to appear, prosecutors may present his testimony through a deposition.
Zuckerberg’s public image and attitudes toward social media featured during jury selection in Santa Fe County, which included educators, young adults raised on social media, and residents who never used the platforms.
“Quite frankly, he's the tech bro making money off of all of us," one prospective juror said.
State attorneys cautioned that the trial would involve “very sensitive and very explicit material discussed in terms of safety to children”.
More than 40 state attorneys general across the US have filed lawsuits against Meta, alleging it deliberately designs features that addict children. Most cases are in federal court, making New Mexico’s lawsuit the first to reach trial.
The case unfolds as a separate bellwether trial in California involving social video platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, has been delayed.
That lawsuit centres on a 19-year-old who claims early exposure to social media led to addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snap Inc have already settled claims in that case.
Torrez, a Democrat seeking re-election to a second term, has called on Meta to introduce stronger age verification, remove harmful actors, revise algorithms that promote damaging content, and reconsider end-to-end encryption that can hinder monitoring communications involving children.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment