Meta New Mexico Trial Phase 2: $3.7 Billion, a Threat to Quit the State, and What It Means for Your Kids

# Meta New Mexico Trial Phase 2: $3.7 Billion, a Threat to Quit the State, and What It Means for Your Kids

> **Quick answer:** On May 4, 2026, a Santa Fe bench trial began that could reshape how Meta operates for every child in America. Following a March jury verdict ordering Meta to pay $375 million for enabling child predators on Instagram and Facebook, New Mexico is now seeking an additional $3.7 billion and court-ordered platform changes. Meta responded by threatening to pull its apps from the entire state rather than comply — a move New Mexico's attorney general called "showing the world how little it cares about child safety."

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters.*

The Meta New Mexico trial is not a standard corporate lawsuit. It is the first case in U.S. history where a state attorney general defeated a major tech platform at trial over harm to children — and now, in its second phase, the stakes have jumped to nearly $4 billion. If New Mexico's judge rules in the state's favor, the injunctions could ripple across every Meta platform in the country.

Here is everything you need to understand about Phase 2, why it matters, and what it reveals about the digital world your kids are navigating right now.

## What Happened in Phase 1: The $375 Million Verdict