When Should You Block Someone on Social Media

Blocking is just a polite way of saying, “No more contact.” Blocking people on social media or from calling or texting you is an act of self-care.

We all want to have the best social media experience possible. Even though it appears like a lot is going on online simultaneously, from the 24-hour news cycle to the millions of accounts that we might come across, we still have control over our experience. We may pick who we want to follow, what subjects and categories we want to track, and whether or not we want to be public.

Blocking not only allows you to conceal someone’s account and information from yours, but it also stops that person from seeing or engaging with your account in the future.

Of course, everyone has their reasons for wanting to block someone. Still, it’s essentially a last-resort, ultimate action to let someone know that they don’t have the right to be a presence in your online life (and, by implication, your actual life) and that they are negatively impacting you.

Most of the time, blocking is necessary and done for the sake of safety, security, and a more positive mental state. Exes’ accounts (particularly toxic ones), corporations or people that push information that might upset you (such as dieting or #fitspo accounts), or accounts that propagate hate messages are all examples (especially ones that attack your identity).

In addition, blocking individuals you know who have harmed you in some way, such as bullying, toxic friendships, or persistent harassment and contact, might also help you feel better. Blocking people who have hurt you is a good way of protecting yourself in the future.

However, blocking may be complex, especially when dealing with individuals you know. If a person discovers they’ve been blocked, for example, they may become enraged, especially if they believe they shouldn’t have been restricted in the first place.

If there hasn’t been a talk about how both of you are feeling, some may see it as passive-aggressive, and it can grow into debates or confrontations that are harmful to everyone. Blocking, while more direct, might be understood in the same manner as people read being subtweeted: being blocked, for example, can make individuals feel nervous or guilty.

Relationships may be challenging to navigate in general, but social media and the ability to indirectly tell someone you don’t want them around adds another layer of complexity. Of course, there are many reasons to block individuals. Still, if the person you’re blocking are people you know and feel comfortable talking to about any problems you’re having, it’s worth attempting to talk it out first before pushing the “block” button.