A US judge has ordered social media giant Meta to pay an additional $567 million, bringing its total fine for failing to protect children online to $942 million. The ruling marks the largest fine against Meta over child safety issues and comes amid ongoing legal battles across the United States.

According to Judge Bryan Biedscheid, Meta’s platforms are akin to a ‘public nuisance’—a factory that produces not just content but also psychological harm and sexual exploitation of children. The judge ordered the company to create a fund aimed at mitigating future harms, including treatment for existing issues, training for teachers and health professionals, and enhanced safety measures.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, disputes the ruling and plans to appeal. The company argues that it works hard to keep its platforms safe but faces significant challenges in identifying harmful content and users. However, this fine underscores growing concerns about social media’s impact on children's well-being.

The comparison of Meta’s effects on society with ‘noxious pollution’ highlights the broader implications beyond just digital harms. As the ruling suggests, tech giants may soon face stricter regulations worldwide to protect young users from online dangers.