NMDOJ wins court case to protect children

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Justice (NNMDOJ) has won against a motion to dismiss its lawsuit against Meta – the parent company of Facebook. The state's lawsuit aims to combat sexual abuse, online solicitation and human trafficking, leveraging evidence collected during undercover investigations.

“Our investigation into Meta’s social media platforms demonstrates that these are not safe spaces for children, but rather privileged places where predators can exchange child pornography and solicit minors for sexual purposes” , said Attorney General Torrez. “As a career prosecutor specializing in Internet crimes against children, I am committed to using every tool available to stop these horrific practices and will hold companies – and their leaders – accountable every time they put profits before the safety of children.”

NMDOJ conducted undercover operations using decoy accounts representing children 14 and under. The evidence collected revealed alarming practices on Meta’s platforms, including:

• Serve and direct explicit content to underage users.

• Allow adults to solicit children for sexually explicit images and videos.

• Recommend unmoderated groups facilitating sex work.

• Authorize the sharing and sale of child pornography.

• Facilitate the fictitious sale of a minor for the purpose of sex trafficking.

“Mr. Zuckerberg and other Meta executives are aware of the serious harm their products can cause young users, and yet they have failed to make enough changes to their platforms to prevent the sexual exploitation of children” , added AG Torrez “Despite repeated assurances to Congress and the public that they can be trusted to maintain their own oversight, it is clear that Meta leadership continues to prioritize engagement and accountability. advertising revenue rather than the safety of the most vulnerable members of our society.”

According to Torrez, Meta's failure to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and its role in enabling predators to exploit underage users is why the department filed the lawsuit. The criminal complaint, which spans 228 pages, details the severity of the problem, comparing the prevalence of exploitative content on Meta's platforms to that of other websites known for their adult content.

In the legal victory, Judge Bryan Biedscheid recently denied Meta's motion to dismiss the case, allowing it to continue. This decision marks a historic step in holding social media giants accountable. “The judge’s decision is a historic victory for children and parents in New Mexico and across the country. For decades, meta-platforms have prevented almost all legal action against them. Today, the New Mexico Department of Justice has put an end to that era,” said AG Torrez.

As the case moves forward, the New Mexico Department of Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping children safe online. This lawsuit serves as a warning to all social media platforms about the importance of protecting their users, especially the most vulnerable.

Internet safety tips for parents and children

In light of the ongoing fight against online dangers, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) offers the following Internet safety tips to help parents and guardians protect their children:

Choose the right time: Discuss internet safety in a relaxed and calm setting.

Start with the positives: Highlight the beneficial aspects of the Internet before discussing the risks.

Introduce balance: Emphasize the importance of balancing online and offline activities.

Cover potential risks: Educate children about cyberbullying, privacy issues and inappropriate content.

Establish boundaries: Establish rules for internet use, including limits on screen time and appropriate websites.

Encourage open communication: Make sure children know they can discuss their experiences online with you.

Revisit the conversation regularly: Adapt the discussion as your child grows and their Internet use evolves.

For additional resources and support, NMDOJ launched SMART CHATS (Social Media Awareness Roundtables Creating Healthy Pathways to Safety) to help parents and educators navigate the complexities of online safety. These resources include privacy guides for social media and gaming platforms, strategies to protect children from cyberbullying and sextortion, and tools to remove explicit content from the internet.

Parents and children impacted by social media-related issues, such as sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, or mental health issues, are encouraged to share their experiences with NMDOJ to further contribute to this critical mission.