Meta’s Underage Exploitation Trial Commences in New Mexico State

In Focus

• Meta is accused of connecting underage users to exploitative content
• The state used a dummy social media account to investigate Meta
• The trial could have far-reaching consequences on the social media industry

Meta’s court trial in New Mexico is set to start on Monday, February 9, 2026. In this case, the state of New Mexico alleges that the social media giant failed to protect underage users from online predators on Instagram and Facebook. According to CNBC, Meta is accused of steering and connecting users, who included children, to exploitative and sexually explicit content. Meta is also accused of facilitating human trafficking in the state.

“What we are really alleging is that Meta has created a dangerous product, a product that enables not only the targeting of children, but the exploitation of children in virtual spaces and in the real world,” New Mexico’s Attorney, General Raúl Torrez, told CNBC.

State Allegations are Based on Undercover Investigation

Most of the allegations against Meta were derived from an undercover investigation conducted by New Mexico’s office of the attorney general. The investigation entailed the use of a dummy social media account of a 13-year old girl.

The fake account “was simply inundated with images and targeted solicitations, which, frankly, I found to be shocking,” Torrez noted.

In its opening arguments, Meta is expected to deny the accusations. Previously, the company has claimed that it remains “focused on demonstrating our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

Experts say the case against Meta is very similar to the “Big Tobacco” lawsuit of the 1990s because of the alleged harm the products could have on users.

State Pushes for Age Verification in Trial

Meta’s New Mexico trial could have far-reaching consequences for the tech giant and the wider social media industry. Although the Facebook owner might face heavy financial penalties, the state wants the tech company to make changes to its products.

“We need to have real age verification. We need to have changes to product design so that they don’t connect kids with predators on the platform. We need full disclosures in terms of making their users aware of the potential harm and danger,” Torrez added.

New Mexico pushes for age verification on social media weeks after TikTok announced plans to tighten age checks in Europe.

Lawsuits Target Addictive Apps

Social media platforms have argued that the content they provide in their apps is protected by the Communications Decency Act. However, the overarching theme in the lawsuits is that the design and features of their apps expose underage users to harm.

Besides the New Mexico trial, Meta is facing a child safety case in Los Angeles alongside YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok. In the social media addiction trial, the platforms have been accused of failing to warn users about the safety of their platforms despite knowing that some features could cause mental harm in users.

Last month, Snapchat settled the lawsuit with the plaintiffs ahead of the trial. Video streaming platform TikTok also opted for a plaintiff settlement. Meta faces another trial in California later this year, alongside TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. In this case, the platforms are accused of developing defective apps that cause underage users to develop addictive behaviors.