Whether it be by a friend or an unfortunate ex, most of us have been placed in the position of having been blocked, and some of us have had to consider blocking someone.
Blocking someone can take two seconds, but it may have unforeseen consequences.
On the one hand, blocking can allow you to take a break from online stressors and can be a strong message to the recipient that you have healthy boundaries. While unfollowing is a viable option, it doesn’t carry the same hefty weight as blocking someone.
But it’s important to take a step back and consider if someone deserves the block or if it’s a spur-of-the-moment reaction. When it comes to someone you know in school, be mindful of the effect a block can have since this is someone you will possibly be seeing on a daily basis.
In the event that the situation is not too serious, there are healthier ways to block instead of flat-out ghosting someone (especially if they would have absolutely no idea why you would do so).
Soft blocking
Soft blocking someone is a way to distance yourself from a person without outright blocking them.
To soft block is very easy: simply block the other person, then immediately unblock them. By doing this, it removes them as a follower as well as deleting any interactions (such as likes and comments) you have had with them on whatever online platform you are using without them noticing. If that person were to look at your account later, it would look like you had unfollowed them with no trace of a block.
Not a fix-all
Of course, soft blocking won’t solve any problems, especially if the person confronts you about the unfollow. If they end up talking to you about it, it’s best to be open and share your grievances; however, if they are immature and crude, it’s best to leave them with one last message and follow through on a full-out block.
The last message should be an explanation but not accusatory; it’s good to be the bigger person when it comes to this type of situation
When an abrupt block is alright\
There are certain situations that do not warrant the courtesy of a soft block. If you are being harassed online, you are more than entitled to block someone without an explanation with an included report on whatever online platform you are using.
Not everybody deserves an explanation. While that sounds blunt, some people don’t know when to take the hint that their advances are unwanted, and not everybody will be willing to hear a valid explanation and leave you alone.
If it comes about that the person you had blocked is coming up with ways to get around the block, it’s in your best interest to just remain no contact with them in order to deter them from continuing to try and reach out. If they continue to be a persistent nuisance and their advances turn threatening or border on harassment, it is valid to inform your guardian and get in contact with authorities.
When an abrupt block is anything but alright
While the act of blocking itself isn’t inherently petty or emotionally manipulative, many do block people with these motivations. It’s okay to have boundaries, but using something like the blocking function to hurt someone for no reason is an immature thing to do.
Have you ever been blocked or have a wild story about blocking someone? Let us know in the comments!
