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How to Block and Unblock People on Facebook

Michael Brown

· 6 min read

Navigating social media can sometimes feel like navigating a minefield of relationships. Whether it’s a friend who posts too many political rants, a relative who overshares, or an ex who just won’t take the hint, there comes a time when the “block” button on Facebook becomes your best friend. Knowing how to block and unblock people effectively on Facebook can save you a lot of stress and keep your online experience pleasant.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to block and unblock people on Facebook, as well as offer some insight into what happens when you do so, and why it might be necessary.

Why Would You Want to Block Someone on Facebook?

Before diving into the how-to, let's address the why. Blocking someone on Facebook might seem like a drastic measure, but there are many valid reasons why you might want to do so:

  • Unwanted Messages: Maybe someone is sending you messages that make you uncomfortable or spamming your inbox with unwelcome content.
  • Privacy Concerns: If someone is prying into your personal life too much, blocking can help you protect your privacy.
  • Cyberbullying or Harassment: Unfortunately, not all interactions on social media are positive. Blocking can be a powerful tool in stopping harassment.
  • Maintaining Mental Health: Sometimes, seeing posts or interactions from certain people can be triggering or stressful. Blocking them can help you maintain your peace of mind.

What Happens When You Block Someone?

Before you hit that block button, it’s essential to understand what blocking someone on Facebook entails:

  1. No Interaction: Once blocked, the person will no longer be able to see your profile, posts, or interact with you in any way on Facebook. This includes commenting on your posts, tagging you, or sending you messages.
  2. Unfriending: Blocking automatically unfriends the person if they were on your friends list. If you unblock them later, you'll need to send a new friend request if you want to be friends again.
  3. Mutual Friends: While the person you block won’t be able to see your content, they might still see your comments or likes on posts from mutual friends. However, this depends on the privacy settings of those mutual friends.

How to Block Someone on Facebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Blocking someone on Facebook is straightforward, but it varies slightly depending on whether you’re using the mobile app or the desktop version. Below are the steps for both:

Blocking Someone on Desktop

  1. Log in to Your Account: Head over to facebook.com and log in with your credentials.

  2. Find the Profile of the Person You Want to Block:

    • You can use the search bar at the top of the page to find the person’s profile.
    • Alternatively, if they’ve recently interacted with you, you might find them in your friend list or recent interactions.

  3. Access the Block Option:

    • On the person's profile page, look for the three dots (...) at the bottom right of their cover photo.
    • Click on it, and from the drop-down menu, select Block.

  4. Confirm the Block:

    • A pop-up window will appear asking if you’re sure you want to block this person.
    • Click Confirm to finalize the action.

Blocking Someone on Mobile

  1. Open the Facebook App:

    • Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone and log in if you’re not already.

  2. Search for the Person You Want to Block:

    • Tap on the search icon at the top and enter the name of the person you want to block.

  3. Navigate to Their Profile:

    • Once you find their profile, tap on it to open.

  4. Access the Block Option:

    • Tap the three dots (...) located at the top right corner of their profile.
    • Select Block from the list of options.

  5. Confirm the Block:

    • Facebook will ask you to confirm. Tap Block to complete the process.

How to Unblock Someone on Facebook

Maybe you’ve had a change of heart, or perhaps you blocked someone in the heat of the moment. Unblocking someone on Facebook is just as easy as blocking them.

Unblocking on Desktop

  1. Go to Settings:

    • Click on the downward arrow (▼) at the top right of Facebook.
    • Select Settings & Privacy from the drop-down, then click Settings.

  2. Navigate to Blocking:

    • On the left-hand side, you'll see a menu. Click on Blocking.

  3. Find the Blocked List:

    • Here, you’ll see a list of all the people you’ve blocked.
    • Find the name of the person you want to unblock.

  4. Unblock the Person:

    • Click Unblock next to their name.
    • Facebook will prompt you to confirm. Click Confirm to finalize.

Unblocking on Mobile

  1. Open the Facebook App:

    • Open the app and tap on the three lines (☰) in the bottom right corner.

  2. Access Settings:

    • Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

  3. Navigate to Blocking:

    • Scroll down until you find the Blocking section under the “Privacy” settings.

  4. Unblock the Person:

    • You’ll see a list of blocked users. Find the person you want to unblock and tap Unblock.
    • Confirm your decision in the pop-up that appears.

Things to Keep in Mind After Unblocking

Unblocking someone doesn’t automatically restore your previous connection. Here are a few things to remember:

  • No Automatic Friendship: Unblocking someone doesn’t re-add them as a friend. If you want to reconnect, you’ll need to send a new friend request.
  • Cool-Down Period: If you unblock someone, you can't block them again for a short period (usually 48 hours). This prevents people from toggling blocks on and off rapidly.
  • History Stays: Any previous interactions, like messages and comments before the block, won’t disappear after unblocking. They’ll stay in place unless you delete them.

When Blocking Isn’t Enough: Other Privacy Controls

Blocking isn’t the only tool at your disposal. If blocking feels too extreme, Facebook offers several other privacy controls:

  1. Unfollowing: If someone’s posts are cluttering your news feed, consider unfollowing them. This way, you remain friends, but their updates won’t show up in your feed.
  2. Custom Privacy Settings: You can create custom lists of friends and choose who sees what. For example, you might want to share a post with close friends only, excluding certain people.
  3. Restricting: This feature allows you to put someone on a restricted list. People on this list will only see your public posts.
  4. Muting in Messenger: If someone’s messages are overwhelming but you don’t want to block them entirely, you can mute their conversation in Messenger.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Social Media Experience

Social media is supposed to be a fun and engaging way to connect with people. But when someone’s behavior starts to infringe on your comfort or peace of mind, knowing how to block and unblock on Facebook becomes crucial.

It’s not just about cutting off communication; it’s about maintaining control over your online space. Whether you need to block someone for personal reasons or simply for peace of mind, the steps are easy to follow and give you immediate relief from unwanted interactions.

Remember, your social media experience is yours to curate. Don’t hesitate to use these tools to make it as positive as possible. And if you ever change your mind, unblocking is always an option.