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Lesson 5 of 8 Β· 5 min Β· +100 XP

What happens when you block, mute or report someone?

When you block someone, they can no longer message you or see your posts. Muting hides their messages without them knowing. Reporting tells the app that something breaks its rules, so it can check and remove it. Children should block and report anyone who is mean, pushy or asks for private things, then tell a trusted adult.

β–Ά Try it

Why it matters

Almost every app has three safety buttons. You learn what each one does and when to press it, so you decide who gets to talk to you.

In 5 minutes you'll be able to

  • Blocking stops messages. Muting makes them quiet.
  • Reporting tells the app and protects others too.
  • Using the buttons is smart, not mean.

What you'll practise

  1. Your three buttons

    These three buttons keep you safe. Using them is smart, not mean.

    🚫 Block
    The person can't message you any more.
    πŸ”‡ Mute
    You don't see their messages any more. The person doesn't know.
    🚩 Report
    You tell the app: "Something's wrong here." The app checks it.

  2. Which button fits?

    Which button do you press? Sort the situations.

    • A stranger keeps messaging you. β†’ Block
    • Someone is mean to you and won't stop. β†’ Block
    • The group chat sends 100 stickers. πŸ™‰ β†’ Mute
    • Your aunt posts too many holiday photos. β†’ Mute
    • You see a scary video. β†’ Report
    • Someone wants your address and your password. β†’ Report

  3. Button quiz

    Do you remember?

    1. Is blocking mean?

      • Yes, you shouldn't do it.
      • No, it's smart. (Answer)

    2. What happens when you report?

      • The app takes a look. (Answer)
      • The police come straight away.

    3. What do you do after blocking?

      • I tell a grown-up. (Answer)
      • I keep it to myself.

Remember

Block stops it, mute quiets it, report flags it. And you can always tell a grown-up.

You decide who gets to talk to you.

Key facts

  • Ofcom's Protection of Children Code, in force in the UK from 25 July 2025, recommends that apps used by children let them block and mute accounts, turn off comments on their own posts and decline group chat invitations. Β· Source: Ofcom, Protection of Children Code of Practice for user-to-user services, 2025
  • The UK Online Safety Act 2023 requires online services to give users, including children, easy ways to report harmful content and to complain. Β· Source: UK Online Safety Act 2023
  • On most apps, a muted person isn't told, and the person you report isn't told who reported them.
  • Blocking and reporting work best together with a trusted adult, who can help save the messages before the chat disappears.

Updated:

Questions people ask

Does someone know if you block them?

Most apps don't send a notice, but the person may notice they can no longer message you or see your posts. Blocking is still the right choice if someone is mean, pushy or makes you feel uncomfortable.

Does someone know if you mute them?

No. On most apps muting is invisible: you just stop seeing their messages or posts, and they can still message you.

Is reporting someone anonymous?

On most apps, yes. The app reviews the report, but it doesn't tell the person who reported them.

Should kids block or report a stranger who messages them?

Both, if the messages are pushy, mean or ask for private things. Then they should show a trusted adult, who can help save the chat as evidence.

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