How to Actually Block Someone on Facebook or Instagram

Blocking sounds simple, and the button is easy to find. But "blocking" someone properly, so they can't find you again through a second account, a group chat or the other app, takes a few more steps. That matters most when a child is being harassed, bullied or contacted by someone they don't know.

Here's how to block someone completely on Facebook and Instagram, what the other options do, and what blocking can't do.

What blocking does

When you block someone on Facebook or Instagram, they generally can't:

• See your profile, posts or stories
• Find you in search
• Message you
• Tag or mention you
• Follow you or add you as a friend

They are not notified that you blocked them, though they may work it out.

Blocking on Instagram and Facebook is set separately in each app, so blocking someone on one doesn't automatically block them on the other.

How to block someone on Instagram

From their profile

1. Go to the person's profile.
2. Tap the three dots at the top right.
3. Tap Block.
4. Choose Block [username] and other accounts they may have or create. This is the step most people skip.
5. Tap Block again to confirm.

From a message

1. Open the conversation.
2. Tap the person's name at the top.
3. Tap Block and choose the option to include new accounts.

From settings (if you can't find their profile)

1. Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines).
2. Under Who can see your content, tap Blocked.
3. Tap the add button, search for the person and tap Block.

Menu labels shift with app updates. If a label doesn't match, search Instagram's settings for "Blocked."

How to block someone on Facebook

From their profile

1. Go to the person's profile.
2. Tap or click the three dots below their cover photo (next to Message).
3. Choose Block and confirm.

From settings

1. Open the menu, then Settings & privacy, then Settings.
2. Find Blocking (on some versions it's under Audience and visibility).
3. Tap Add to blocked list (or type a name in Block users), find the person and tap Block.

If the person has a common name, check the profile picture and mutual friends so you block the right account.

Messenger

Blocking someone on Facebook also blocks them on Messenger. If you only want to stop messages, you can block messages from them in Messenger without blocking them on Facebook: open the chat, tap their name and choose Block.

Close the other doors

A blocked person can still try other routes. To fully cut contact:

1. Block every account you know about. On Instagram, use the "other accounts they may create" option. On Facebook, block any alternate profiles you find.
2. Block on both apps, and on any other platforms they use: Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp, X.
3. Leave or mute shared group chats, where a blocked person may still appear.
4. Make your account private. On Instagram, Teen Accounts are private by default; for adults, go to Account privacy and turn on Private account.
5. Limit who can message you. In Instagram's Messages and story replies settings, restrict who can send message requests. Teen Accounts already limit messages from people teens aren't connected to.
6. Check your followers and friends lists for accounts you don't recognize.

When blocking feels like too much: other options

Sometimes blocking feels too dramatic, especially with classmates or relatives. These quieter options can help:

• Restrict (Instagram): the person's new comments on your posts are visible only to them unless you approve them, and their messages go to message requests. They aren't told they've been restricted.
• Mute (Instagram): hide someone's posts or stories without unfollowing them.
• Hidden Words (Instagram): automatically filter comments and message requests containing offensive words or phrases you choose. Teen Accounts have the strictest Hidden Words setting on by default.
• Unfollow or snooze (Facebook): stop seeing someone's posts without unfriending them.
• Restricted list (Facebook): they stay a friend but only see your public posts. Our guide to distancing yourself without unfriending explains how.

Block and report: not either-or

Blocking protects you. Reporting helps protect everyone else and creates a record. Report when someone:

• Threatens you or someone else
• Shares or threatens to share private images
• Pretends to be someone they're not
• Bullies or harasses repeatedly
• Is an adult making inappropriate contact with a minor

Before you block, take screenshots of messages, the username and the profile. Once you block, the conversation may be harder to access. Then report through the three-dot menu on the profile, post or message.

If a child is being threatened or someone is demanding images or money, read our guide on sextortion and what parents can do, and contact law enforcement. In the US you can also report to the NCMEC CyberTipline.

What blocking can't do

• It can't remove screenshots or copies someone already made.
• It doesn't stop the person from seeing anything you post publicly while logged out.
• It doesn't stop mutual friends from sharing your content.
• It doesn't remove posts they made about you; report those instead.

That's why a private account and a tidy profile matter too. For more on Instagram settings for kids, see kids and Instagram.

Unblocking

You can unblock from the same Blocked list in each app. On Facebook, unblocking doesn't restore a friendship (you'd need to send a new request), and it's not possible to block the same person again right away.

Quick checklist

• Screenshot evidence first.
• Block on Instagram with "other accounts they may create."
• Block on Facebook (which also blocks Messenger).
• Block on any other apps they use, and leave shared group chats.
• Make the account private and limit message requests.
• Report threats, harassment, impersonation and anything involving minors.
• Use Restrict, Mute or Hidden Words when blocking isn't right.