New Delhi: Social media has made it easier to connect with people, but it has also created new ways to step away from them. Instead of blocking someone outright, many users now make small changes to their online interactions that create distance without completely cutting off contact. This behaviour is commonly known as ‘soft blocking’.
Soft blocking can also become a way of avoiding an uncomfortable conversation. Instead of directly telling someone that they need space, a person can reduce interaction through changes to their social media activity.
Soft blocking can be useful when someone wants more privacy or needs some personal space. Social media users can decide who they want to interact with and how much of their personal life they want to share online. Because small changes in social media behaviour can be easy to notice, the impact can be stronger in close friendships or relationships.
A person who was previously interacting regularly may suddenly disappear from someone’s online activity, making the change feel more noticeable.
