UK online-safety campaigners have welcomed a New Mexico court order requiring Meta to pay a further $567 million (£421 million), saying it shows the company’s approach to protecting children has consequences. The ruling follows a case in which jurors found Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed information about child sexual exploitation, and it may encourage further legal action against technology firms.

The additional payment comes after an earlier $375 million (£278 million) fine, taking the penalties in the case to nearly $1 billion. Judge Bryan Biedscheid said $420 million (£312 million) should fund treatment services, with the rest supporting awareness, prevention and screening; Meta plans to appeal. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died after viewing harmful online material, gave evidence, while other bereaved parents urged the UK Government to ensure proposed under-16 social-media restrictions carry strong penalties.