The Pride Path

Hide, Block, and Report: What Each Control Does

Hide, block, and report are different controls. Their labels and effects vary by service, so the most useful habit is to understand the current help information before a situation becomes stressful.

Know the control before you need it

Three questions to ask

  1. Do I only want less visibility?Some services offer options that change browsing or profile visibility. Check what the current setting changes and what it does not.
  2. Do I want to end contact?Blocking is generally the stronger choice when you do not want to continue interacting. Read the service’s current explanation before relying on it.
  3. Is a rule being broken?Reporting can help a platform review conduct that appears to violate its rules. Include only relevant, truthful information in a report.
  4. Is there an immediate safety concern?Do not wait for an in-app process if you believe you are in immediate danger. Use the appropriate local emergency or support service.

A calmer way to respond

Pause first

You do not owe an immediate reply. Take a moment to reread the conversation and decide whether you want to disengage, block, or report.

Keep reports accurate

Describe what happened without exaggerating. Platforms can make better decisions when reports are specific and truthful.

Review your visibility

After an uncomfortable interaction, revisit profile and discovery settings. A small adjustment may better match the boundary you want now.

Use official help pages

Interface labels change. The help centre and community rules for the service you are using are the best place to confirm the current process.

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Official information used for this guide