India, Feb. 2 -- The first stand-alone trial from State prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against Meta is getting underway in New Mexico, with jury selection starting Monday. New Mexico's case is built on a State undercover investigation using proxy social media accounts and posing as kids to document sexual solicitations and the response from Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

It could give states a new legal pathway to go after social media companies over how their platforms affect children, by using consumer protection and nuisance laws. Attorney General Raul Torrez filed suit in 2023, accusing Meta of creating a marketplace and "breeding ground" for predators who target children for sexual exploitation and failing...