Blocking — sever the connection
Blocking removes the relationship in both directions. The other person cannot message you, cannot see your content through the normal surfaces, and any mutual connection is broken.
It is the strongest tool and it is not subtle. Someone who was interacting with you and suddenly cannot will usually work out that they were blocked. Use it when you want the contact to stop and do not mind that being evident.
Restricting — limit reach quietly
Restricting narrows what someone can do without severing anything. It is the right tool when the situation is awkward rather than dangerous — someone you would rather not block outright, but whose reach you want reduced.
The advantage is that it is quiet. Nothing announces it, so it does not escalate a situation that escalation would make worse.
Reporting — involve moderation
Reporting is the only one of the three that tells anyone else. Blocking and restricting change your experience; reporting asks for a decision about whether something breaks the rules.
Report when the behaviour would be a problem regardless of who it happened to. Block when you simply want it to stop for you. These are frequently both true, and doing both is normal.
Choosing quickly
If you feel unsafe: block, then report. Stopping contact first is the priority; the report can follow.
If it is uncomfortable but not threatening: restrict, and see whether that settles it.
If it is not aimed at you but breaks the rules: report, and leave your own connections alone.
Common questions
- Will they be told?
- No notification is sent for any of the three. Blocking tends to become obvious through its effects; restricting generally does not.
- Can I undo it?
- Blocking and restricting can both be reversed, though unblocking does not restore a mutual connection automatically — that has to be re-established.