The block button is the ultimate source of dopamine. Use it.
I’m seeing this debate pop up on Threads and Mastodon, and I’ve speed-run the whole discourse so many times from Twitter to Bluesky that I’m exhausted. But let me be clear. It’s perfectly okay to use the block function on any and every single platform. Block whoever you want. Block liberally. Block joyously. It’s not rude; it’s not an act of censorship, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Our online spaces are not abstract playgrounds but extensions of our personal lives. Our interactions in these spaces profoundly affect us, either positively or negatively. Just as a kind word can brighten our day, a negative, pointless, irritating or toxic encounter — whether it’s outright harassment or simply unwelcome chatter — can drain our energy and significantly impact our mental health. Blocking someone might seem like a petty act. But, fuck it. It’s a way of standing up for your peace of mind.
Think about the parallels in our offline lives. Do you publicly explain why you avoid someone at a party? Do you feel compelled to justify it to the world every time you don’t answer a phone call? Of course not. The same logic should apply to our online interactions. The expectation to justify the use of the block function adds unnecessary emotional labour — and it’s invariably used to bully people into remaining exposed to…
