The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

Notes on Blocking People on Social Media

This sounds like the title of a story with a profound ending, but it's not – not really. It's just about the moment you realise you can no longer put up with the kind of content someone posts on their social media. You know, that exact point in time you decide to use your mute, block, or unfriend button.

Some people are very strict about what they consume on the internet. So, once they see something that makes them feel a way or negates their belief system about themselves or something else, they try to ensure they never see it again – at least from the same person.

Another reason someone could be like this is that other people's opinions affect them severely. Maybe a post that is supposed to be their "sub" could make them cry or feel very bad about themselves. So, when they see such a post from someone on their social media, they immediately block, mute or unfriend them.

But then, if you're like me, you probably just scrunch up your face when you see a post that hits you the wrong way, then continue scrolling or swiping without trying to restrict the uploader. If you continue to see such content, you probably continue to do the same thing until one time, when you eventually get fed up and decide to use your options.

Sometimes, the uploader is your friend, and even though blocking or muting them has crossed your mind, you try to give them the benefit of the doubt. You also don't know how they would feel if they found out. But soon enough, if the behaviour persists, you eventually see something that adds the last card to the house of cards – the one that makes the house fall.

Whether you usually block the first time or when you have already become the camel with a heap of straw on its back, here's something you should remember – You are well within your right to control and curate what you see on social media.

While you should try as much as possible to be open-minded, some ideas and opinions could have detrimental effects on different aspects of your person. So, remember to utilise your options because as much as people should be allowed to say whatever they want (peculiarities may arise depending on context), people should also be allowed to control what they consume.