Meta Platforms will face a pivotal courtroom battle in New Mexico as state prosecutors move forward with the first stand-alone trial in a wave of lawsuits accusing the tech giant of failing to protect children on its platforms.
The case, filed by Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023, centers on claims that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp became environments where minors were exposed to sexual solicitation and harmful content while Meta allegedly failed to act decisively.
The trial process begins on Monday, February 2, 2026, with opening statements scheduled for February 9. Proceedings are expected to last nearly two months. Legal observers say the outcome could shape how U.S. states pursue accountability against social media companies using consumer protection and public nuisance laws rather than traditional content-based claims.
At the heart of the case is a state-led undercover investigation. Officials created proxy social media accounts posing as children aged 14 and under to document sexual approaches from adults and track how Meta responded. Prosecutors argue that the evidence shows systemic weaknesses in how the company detects, removes and prevents predatory behavior on its platforms.
Rather than targeting user-generated content directly, the lawsuit focuses on Meta’s algorithms, which prosecutors say amplify addictive and harmful material to young users. This strategy is designed to sidestep the broad immunity granted to tech firms under Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, which typically shields platforms from liability for what users post.
Torrez has argued that Meta effectively created a “marketplace and breeding ground” for predators while withholding internal knowledge about the risks to minors. The state is seeking stronger age-verification measures, faster removal of offenders, and algorithmic changes that would limit children’s exposure to harmful material.
Meta has denied the allegations, accusing prosecutors of selectively presenting internal documents and relying on what it calls sensationalist arguments. While CEO Mark Zuckerberg is no longer named as a defendant, his name appears in depositions and internal records cited in the case. The company maintains that it offers robust safety tools, content filters and education resources designed to protect teens.
