How To Block Someone on WhatsApp
We all know how people can get on the internet. Some people leave all sense of decency and intelligence behind when they fire up their phone or computer and interact with others online. Sometimes you just want to avoid dumb people or an ex, or a friend who is more trouble than they are worth. Good job you can block someone on WhatsApp then!
While WhatsApp isn’t the only place to interact with other people, it is one of the most popular. With millions of users across the world, at some point you are going to come across someone you rather wouldn’t. Blocking is an effective way to stop them irritating you while on your favorite chat app.
Here’s how to block someone on WhatsApp.
Block someone on WhatsApp
The blocking process is actually quite straightforward.
Block someone on WhatsApp for Android:
- Open the conversation with the person you want to block.
- Tap the three dot menu icon in the top right.
- Select Block and confirm.
If you want to see who you have blocked or want to allow chats again, do this:
- Open WhatsApp and select the three dot menu icon.
- Select Settings, Account and Privacy.
- Select Blocked Contacts and the person you want to unblock.
- Tap the name and select Unblock NAME.
You can also block people using the Privacy menu too. Just select the Blocked contacts option and select the search icon in the top right. Select a contact and block them.
Block someone on WhatsApp for iOS:
- Open the conversation with the person you want to block.
- Select their name from the top menu.
- Scroll down the Contact Info page until you see Block this Contact.
- Select Block this Contact and confirm when prompted.
You can also use the privacy menu in a similar way to Android.
- Open WhatsApp and open the Settings menu.
- Select Account and Privacy.
- Select Blocked and Add New… at the bottom of the list.
- Search for the contact and select their name from the list.
The contact will be blocked in the same way as above.
If you want to unblock someone go to the privacy menu as above, tap the name and select their name and then Unblock. You can also tap a previous message and select Unblock at the prompt popup.
What happens when you block someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking basically does what you think it would do. It blocks someone from contacting or annoying you while on WhatsApp.
Blocking achieves these goals:
- Messages will no longer be delivered to you from the blocked person.
- They will see messages not delivered but will not be told why.
- They will no longer see your Status or Last Seen.
Block will not:
- Delete their messages already delivered to you.
- Delete your messages already delivered to them.
- Remove you as a contact from their list
- Remove them as a contact on your list.
Avoiding harassment on WhatsApp or anywhere
The sheer number of people who think it is okay to act like a douchebag while online never fails to surprise. Despite the internet having been mainstream for 30 years or more, it is still treated like the Wild West by some. A place where people can act however they like and do or say what they like with no repercussions.
Sometimes it is impossible to completely avoid harassment but there are a few quick tips that might help.
See it for what it is
While easier said than done, seeing online harassment for what it is, some idiotic or entitled douchebag acting out should make it have less impact. In psychology, bullying is a sign of weakness, shame or insecurity. In some instances it is all three. Remember that when it happens and feel pity rather than afraid. If you can.
Record everything
If the harasser won’t take no for an answer or won’t leave you alone, you can avoid, block or take action. If you choose the latter, record every message, every chat and everything that happens. Take screenshots if they might help and then report the user to the platform. Provide the evidence to back up your accusation and let WhatsApp take care of the rest.
Avoid anonymous chatrooms or groups
WhatsApp has the advantage of identifying all its users but not all social networks or online locations will do that. Anonymity is essential in some countries and for some subjects. General interest sites that allow anonymous logins will naturally attract more idiots than other places. They wear anonymity as a shield and think they cannot be identified. That is wrong as everyone can be identified eventually, but doesn’t stop them acting out. Avoid these kinds of sites if you can.
Don’t overshare
The more you put out there, the more ammunition someone has to use against and harass you. Consider what you put on social media and what someone might do with that information. Remember that nothing is deleted and even things you said years ago will still be out there somewhere.
The same for contact details, address, diaries and location information. Just think for a minute about what a person can do with that information and then withhold it accordingly.
Create a persona
I use social media under my real name but I also have an online persona I use for social activities. It’s a complete fake person with their own email, Facebook account, Twitter account, WhatsApp (burner SIM) account, own blog and more. I have used the same persona for six years now and it is still going strong. If people harass the persona, I don’t care because it isn’t me. I can also fight back accordingly with no repercussions into my real life.
It is refreshingly simple to block someone on WhatsApp. Just as well as despite having to register with a cell number, there are a fair number of idiots on the platform that like to make life difficult for the rest of us. Now at least you know of one way to avoid them.