In an era of hyper-connected social media, the question of how to handle people from our past—exes, ex-friends, former colleagues—has become more complicated than ever.
Avoidance is no longer as simple as not crossing paths in the real world. Digital footprints linger. In the past, switching coffee shops or taking a different route home would do the trick, but now, their posts and algorithm-driven suggested follows keep them in our orbits—whether wanted or not. Every time we open Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn, we risk an unwelcome reminder of someone we’d rather forget.
This sparks an inevitable dilemma. Block and cut ties completely or take a more measured approach. While blocking is a definitive action, it isn’t always the right one. Unless someone is actively invading your space—mentally or physically—it’s not worth it to give them that much power.
It’s worth noting that there’s a time and place for blocking—while it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, sometimes it’s necessary. For some, blocking is a reflexive act of self-preservation. It’s a way to establish a clean break and eliminate the temptation to check in on someone’s life. It also severs their access to yours, reinforcing a necessary boundary.
When someone repeatedly engages in toxic behaviour—cyberstalking, sending unwanted messages, or posting ive-aggressive subtexts—blocking isn’t about pettiness. It’s protection. In cases of harassment, manipulation, or lingering emotional distress, cutting off is a necessity.
Blocking should send a definitive message—the relationship is over, and there’s no room for ambiguity or unwanted attempts at reconnection.
But blocking isn’t just about safeguarding mental well-being—it also makes a statement, and sometimes, it’s louder than intended.
In a pre-digital world, people didn’t need a “block” button to move on, they simply stopped engaging. There was no need for an app to confirm they were over someone, they just let that person fade from their lives naturally.
Today, however, blocking carries subtext. It can be perceived as an aggressive and decisive choice, an act of hostility rather than neutrality. Ironically, it can even give the other person more power—if they realize they’ve been blocked, they might see it as proof they still have a hold over you. Paradoxically, this can grant them a sense of control rather than taking it away, reinforcing the very attachment you were trying to sever.
When you block someone, you’re not just cutting them off, you’re signalling that they still occupy space in your mind. In that way, blocking isn’t always a sign of strength—it can be a sign of lingering investment.
Instead, a more effective approach lies in ive disengagement. The move that is no move at all. Unfollow. Mute. Scroll past. Allow them to fade into the endless stream of content our feeds are saturated with today.
Social media thrives on reactions; choosing not to engage is its own form of control—one that doesn’t feed the cycle of digital conflict.
Most of the time, the people we once knew aren’t actively trying to harm us. They’re just living their lives however they see necessary. If we find ourselves unsettled by their mere existence on our feeds, it often says more about ourselves than it does them. In these cases, unfollowing or muting can create space without the need for a heavy-handed digital exile.
And let’s be clear—if someone unfollows you, don’t take it personally. Retaliatory social media moves may feel momentarily satisfying, but they don’t define our real value.
Ultimately, the decision to block or not to block comes down to personal boundaries. However, we have more control over our digital experiences than we realize. Personally, I don’t concern myself with follower counts. If someone disrupts my peace, I unfollow or mute rather than resort to dramatic gestures. Blocking is a tool, but like any tool, it should be used with intention, not as an impulsive reaction.
Sometimes, the best way to move on isn’t through a definitive action but through a shift in mindset. Choose what serves your peace and let the rest fade into the background.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].