A New Mexico judge has delivered a decisive blow to Meta, ordering the company to pay an additional $567 million in a case centered on social media harms and addiction. This latest penalty, imposed on Thursday, stacks on top of the $375 million fine from March, pushing Meta's total liability in the state to a staggering $942 million. Main Developments Beyond the financial hit, the court mandated sweeping functional changes to Meta's platforms within New Mexico. The company must remove Like counts entirely, allowing such metrics to appear only for children under 18 when a parent or guardian approves. Additionally, push notifications for underage users are to be halted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Usage limits also come into play, capping minors at 90 hours per month—roughly three hours daily. Read also: Why OpenAI's $400 AI Donut Speaker Raises Big Questions Background This ruling follows a broader legal campaign against Meta over its impact on young users' mental health. The March fine of $375 million was part of the same case, which has become a focal point for state-level efforts to regulate tech giants. Why It Matters The combined $942 million penalty signals a hardening stance among state courts, which are increasingly willing to impose both financial and operational remedies. For Meta, this sets a precedent that could influence similar litigation elsewhere, potentially forcing platform-wide design changes that prioritize child safety over engagement metrics. What's Next Meta is likely to appeal the decision, but the specifics of any legal challenge remain unclear. Meanwhile, the company must prepare to implement the court-ordered changes, which could serve as a template for other states considering action.