Less Than Three Foundation

The landmark Meta trial in Santa Fe has entered its second phase, shifting focus from financial penalties to fundamental platform changes and teen mental health. Opening statements began May 4 in a bench trial before Chief Judge Bryan Biedscheid, and the stakes could not be higher. "Children are begging for help," state attorney David Ackerman told the court, arguing that social media is fueling a mental health crisis .

New Mexico is asking the court to declare Meta's platforms a public nuisance and finance a $3.7 billion, 15 year mental health abatement plan . Prosecutors seek sweeping changes including age verification with 99 percent accuracy, a ban on infinite scroll and autoplay for minors, mandatory parent linked accounts, and a court supervised child safety monitor . Meta attorney Alex Parkinson called the plan "overbroad, vague, unworkable," arguing that complying could force Meta to completely withdraw Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp from New Mexico's 2.1 million residents . The company also claims the state is infringing on free speech and parental rights .

The first phase jury already found Meta liable for misleading parents about child safety and ordered $375 million in penalties . Now the real fight begins over whether one state can rewrite how social media works for everyone.