Last Updated on: 4th October 2023, 08:29 am
The digital era provides us with numerous means of communication, Snapchat being one of them. It is widely loved for its unique way of providing users with a more personal touch through pictorial and video interactions.
But, as we navigate through the wonders of this application, unfavorable situations may occur.
There are times when we may feel the need to block someone on Snapchat, whether due to harassment, spam or simply wanting to cut off contact.
The Blocking Mechanism on Snapchat
When you block someone on Snapchat, they are no longer able to view your stories or contact you through Snapchat, and your username becomes unsearchable to them.
Snapchat does not send a notification to the blocked person, protecting the privacy of the blocker. The only possibility for the blocked user to become aware of being blocked is if they notice you haven’t opened their messages or snaps after some time.
The Implication of Communication
Unsurprisingly, blocking someone means you will not receive any messages or snaps from that person anymore.
Though the blocked user can still send you messages, they will appear as “unread” on their device. Even though they might see the snap as delivered, it will not be received on your end.
Access to Snaps and Stories
On the other hand, if the blocked person had received a snap from you before being blocked, they would still be able to open and view it.
But, this privilege ends when the snap expires after 24 hours. Your stories, whether public or private, become inaccessible to the blocked user.
The Role of Saved Messages
Even when someone is blocked, the saved chat messages on their end will not be erased. The chat history might disappear on your screen, but the blocked user can still view the saved conversations.
If you unblock them and send a friend request again, the saved messages won’t reveal if they had taken screenshots during the block period.
Unblocking and Re-friending
If you decide to unblock someone you previously blocked on Snapchat, keep in mind that you will not have them on your friend list anymore.
To re-establish communication, you have to send them a friend request which they must accept.
Alternatives to Blocking on Snapchat
If blocking seems too harsh, Snapchat offers alternatives such as the Do Not Disturb function, which silences notifications from a particular user. You can also limit who can view your stories and reach you by changing your privacy settings.
If these measures are not sufficient, you can choose to remove a person from your friend list without blocking them.
Final Thoughts
Using Snapchat should be an enjoyable and secure experience for everyone. While blocking might seem quite drastic, sometimes it is necessary to protect one’s peace and privacy.
If possible, using alternatives to blocking can prevent completely cutting ties. As responsible Snapchat users, we should strive to make the most of this platform while maintaining respectful digital boundaries.
