The Block Button is there for a reason; use it!

Article written by: Ahana Roy

Article designed by: Ahana Roy & Palak Tiwari

Have you ever found yourself in a situation online where someone has made you uncomfortable? There’s a voice in your head saying you want to get out of it immediately, but you feel like you’re stuck.

Whether you’re being made fun of, being harassed, or are caught up with toxic people, there is a simple way to take action: hitting the block button.

Ending harassment or cyberbullying isn’t as simple as blocking a few people in every scenario, but the block button can be a powerful tool to protect yourself and take control of the situation.

Cyberbullying

In many cases, cyberbullying can take form on platforms with messaging functions such as Discord and Instagram. In the real world, people show politeness and respect to keep up their own image and reputation. But on the internet…anyone has the liberty of staying anonymous. Even if a cyberbully is not anonymous, they can find confidence behind a screen that they cannot find face-to-face, making a lack of respect or boundaries all the more common online.

Where does the block button play a part in cyberbullying?

When you find yourself or a friend as the target of hateful speech or threats online and it's making you feel hurt… shut it out. Block the people who are harmful or hurting you. It’s a simple way to shut out the unnecessary noise plaguing your mind and causing stress.

It's worth noting, however, that cyberbullying can’t always be stopped by blocking people. In cases when cyberbullying reaches a point where multiple accounts are made and people’s safety/privacy are being threatened, go to the police and inform a trusted adult because blocking cannot stop the leaking of personal information.

Harassment

The internet is filled with individuals who can harass people with little to no consequences. Some forms of cyberharassment include defamation, spreading rumors, sexual harassment, and discrimination (Durham University). Harassment, both in person and online, can negatively impact the mental health of victims by causing stress and anxiety. The difference is the fact that there is no block button in person. You can put an end to aggressors from your side by simply blocking them online.

While blocking someone who is harassing you won’t reverse the impact it's already had, it can give you a sense of control because hitting the block button is a decision you were brave enough to take to put an end to harassment (Spinnr). If you are from the United States, after blocking the aggressor, you can report cyber harassment here.

Drama and Toxic Online Friendships

There will always be a person in life who shows toxic behavior and goes out of their way to start or involve themselves in drama. Not your cup of tea? Block them.

In real life, when avoiding someone, you don’t need to justify it (Westenburg). It should be the same online. In my experience, I’ve met a plethora of people online who are eagerly… negative. You might, too, or maybe you already have. Always criticizing people’s every move, arguing, and bringing others down. Don’t force yourself to be involved in that. If a friendship or relationship is bad for your health, it’s okay to move on (Lim).

It's also important to keep an eye out for manipulators on the internet. Behind a screen, it’s hard to read into the emotion or intent of a person. If you find yourself constantly feeling guilty for not doing something that you don’t want to do or are coerced into doing something that ruins your peace and causes discomfort…that’s a great sign to let go.

Toxic relationships take a huge toll on the mental health of one or both people involved. These lead to added stress, which in turn can lead to more serious mental health problems. If you ever suspect that someone is being toxic towards you or if you find yourself acting toxic towards another person–and no amount of communication seems to fix anything–it’s time to hit that block button, do some self-evaluation and seek therapy or recovery if needed.

Don’t Be Afraid to Block!

The block button was created for a reason. Some people might feel bad or feel scared of blocking someone due to the distress they’ve caused, but self-care is important. Put yourself first in these situations. Do what makes you comfortable. Detach from whatever or whoever does not make you comfortable. Online, everyone has the privilege to shut out what is hurting them.

Works Cited

Durham. “What Is Online Harassment?” What Is Online Harassment? - Report + Support Durham University, reportandsupport.durham.ac.uk/support/what-is-online-harassment. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Lim, Leigh. “The Beauty of the ‘block’ Button.” Thrive Global, 6 Nov. 2020, community.thriveglobal.com/the-beauty-of-the-block-button/.

Spinnr. “The Impact of Blocking People on Social Media: Exploring the Consequences and Uses.” Medium, Medium, 23 Jan. 2024, medium.com/@appspinnr/the-impact-of-blocking-people-on-social-media-exploring-the-consequences-and-uses-89157ad58526.

Westenberg, Joan. “The Block Button Is the Ultimate Source of Dopamine. Use It.” Medium, Medium, 4 Dec. 2023, joanwestenberg.medium.com/the-block-button-is-the-ultimate-source-of-dopamine-use-it-78d019dcafea.