A major legal case against Meta is entering a decisive new phase in New Mexico, where state prosecutors are seeking far-reaching changes to the way the company’s social media platforms operate.

The case follows an earlier jury decision that found Meta liable and imposed $375 million in civil penalties. The court is now expected to examine whether the company’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, should be forced to redesign key features linked to the safety of children and teenagers.

Prosecutors in New Mexico argue that several mechanisms used by Meta’s platforms, including content recommendation algorithms, notifications, infinite scrolling and other engagement-driven features, have negatively affected young people’s mental health and created risks for their online safety.

According to the authorities, the platforms have not done enough to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content or to stop dangerous actors from exploiting social media systems. As a result, prosecutors are asking the court to order structural changes to Meta’s platforms.

The proposed measures include stronger age verification, limits on features considered addictive, a redesign of content recommendation algorithms, default privacy protections for children and linking minors’ accounts to a parent or guardian.

One of the most significant requests is the appointment of an independent child-safety monitor, who would oversee the implementation of the measures under the supervision of the court.

Meta, however, has rejected the allegations and said it will appeal the earlier ruling. The company argues that it continues to work to improve safety across its platforms and that the proposed requirements would be difficult to implement in practice. Meta also claims that some of the requested measures could interfere with free speech and parental rights.

The trial is expected to last around three weeks and will include testimony from experts, investigators and company representatives. At the end of the process, the judge will decide whether Meta must implement the major changes requested by prosecutors.

The case is being closely watched as one of the most significant legal challenges against a major technology company. Its outcome could influence not only the future of Meta’s platforms in the United States, but also the broader regulation of social media around the world.