New Mexico AG Torrez to hold ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ town hall in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- After a landmark ruling ordering Meta to pay $942 and overhaul protection for children on its platforms, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is expected to be in Las Cruces Wednesday to discuss the next steps.

Torrez' "Keeping Kids Safe" town hall is set for 6-7 p.m. at the Doña Ana Community College East Mesa Campus Auditorium Building (2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.).

The attorney general is scheduled to meet with the Las Cruces community to discuss his work to keep kids safe online. He will also discuss legislative proposals to support New Mexico working families, according to the NMDOJ.

On Aug. 6, a New Mexico court ordered Meta to fund a $567 million abatement program dedicated to addressing the youth mental health crisis, according to the NMDOJ. The order addressed the state's public nuisance claim against Meta Platforms.

In addition to a $375 million civil penalty, the abatement program aims to prevent child exploitation, expanding treatment and recovery services and implementing meaningful safety reforms, NMDOJ said.

Torrez sued Meta in 2023 and claimed it created a "breeding ground" for child predators on two of its platforms: Facebook and Instagram. Meta denied the claim.

In March, a jury found Meta liable on all counts in a trial on child safety and engaging in unfair trade practices.