Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has gone to court in New Mexico in a major case focused on the safety of children on social media. The trial, which began in February 2026, is being closely watched because it could shape how tech companies are expected to protect young users in the future.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2023 by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. The state argues that Meta failed to properly protect minors from sexual exploitation and harmful contact on its platforms. According to prosecutors, some features of Facebook and Instagram made it easier for adults with bad intentions to reach children. The complaint also says the company gave parents and users a false sense of security by overstating how safe the platforms were.
As part of the investigation, officials created undercover test accounts posing as young users. They say these accounts were shown explicit material and received troubling messages from adults. Prosecutors believe this shows the company’s safety systems and age checks were not strong enough.
Meta has denied the accusations. The company says it has spent years building tools to protect teenagers, including stronger privacy settings, reporting options, and technology to detect suspicious behavior. Its lawyers argue that no online service can prevent every bad action and that the state is presenting an unfair picture by focusing only on negative examples.
New Mexico is trying to prove that Meta violated consumer protection laws. If the court agrees, the company could face heavy financial penalties and may be ordered to make important changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate. The state wants stronger age verification, faster removal of harmful content, and improvements to the way the platforms recommend material to young people.
Legal experts say this is one of the first big cases of its kind to actually reach trial, even though many other states have filed similar lawsuits. Because of that, the final decision could influence future rules for social media companies across the United States.
The hearings are expected to continue for several weeks. Former employees, safety specialists, and investigators may be called to explain what Meta knew about risks to children and what steps were taken to reduce them. By the time the trial ends, it may offer clearer answers about how far a technology company must go to keep young users safe online.