How to Block Someone on Snapchat: An In-Depth Privacy Guide

Snapchat burst onto the social media scene in 2011 with an innovative premise – pictures and messages that disappear after being viewed. This created a sense of intimacy, authenticity, and carefreeness that appealed to younger demographics.

However, over time, troubling patterns emerged of Snapchat being used to harass, threaten, and abuse other users. A 2018 Pew Research study shockingly found that 42% of U.S. teens were subjected to online harassment, with Snapchat being one of the most common venues.

Fortunately, Snapchat has responded by providing strong blocking tools and privacy options – giving users control over who interacts with them.

In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep on blocking contacts on Snapchat and tailoring your privacy:

Contents

• Understanding Blocking Basics
• Step-By-Step Guide to Blocking
• Unblocking Contacts
• Privacy Settings Overview
• Comparison to WhatsApp and Telegram
• Documenting and Reporting Abuse
• Legal Rights and Law Enforcement Action
• Creating a Culture of Consent and Respect
• Key Takeaways

So whether you simply want some annoying ex off your friend list, or are facing serious harassment and stalking, this guide is here to help protect your wellbeing and privacy.

Blocking Basics

Snapchat‘s blocking feature prevents other users from:

• Viewing your private Stories
• Sending you Snaps and Chats
• Seeing your location on Snap Maps

It also removes them from your friends list.

However, blocking does not stop them from potentially:

• Viewing public "Our Stories" content you post
• Finding your public Snapchat profile via search or external links
• Using 3rd party apps to stalk your location or content

So while blocking removes direct contact, some indirect surveillance is still possible. This is why tailored privacy settings are so important, as we explore later in this guide.

Step-By-Step Guide to Blocking

Blocking another user on Snapchat takes just a few taps:

1. Open your Friends list
2. Tap the user‘s name
3. Tap the ⚙️ settings button
4. Select Block
5. Confirm your choice

And it‘s done – they lose all friend access and privileges!

They will also receive an in-app alert notifying them of being blocked.

To restore contact, you simply head to your settings to Unblock:

1. Go to Settings > Blocked
2. Tap Unblock next to their name
3. Confirm your choice

Note this does not re-add them as a friend – you‘ll need to search and select Add Friend for that.

Easy enough! Now let‘s look at safeguarding your privacy.

Privacy Settings Overview

While blocking removes direct access, some indirect surveillance is still possible from public posts or location services.

To limit these exposure risks, be sure to adjust your privacy settings:

Story Privacy

Control exactly who views your stories under Settings > Privacy Controls > Story Privacy.

Choices include:

• Everyone
• My Friends
• Custom (choose specific friends)

Profile Privacy

Under Settings > Privacy Controls > View My Profile

Select who can view your personal bio, snippets, etc.

Location Privacy

Under Settings > Privacy Controls > Share My Location

Choose who sees your location if Snap Maps is enabled.

Customizing these settings ensures only your intended audiences see given content types. You decide your boundaries!

Comparison to WhatsApp and Telegram

Now let‘s compare Snapchat‘s blocking to other popular messaging apps – WhatsApp and Telegram.

While the options are generally similar, there are some technical differences in how blocking works on each platform:

Key Takeaways:

• WhatsApp provides the strongest blocking with hidden online activity
• Telegram allows some indirect contact after blocking
• Snapchat blocks Stories but leaves profiles visible

So while Snapchat blocks direct chats/stories, some indirect surveillance is possible if Friends lists or location sharing remains public.

Bottom line: always utilize privacy settings in tandem with blocking!

Documenting and Reporting Abuse

If you are facing serious harassment or threats from a Snapchat user, make sure to properly document evidence before blocking them:

• Carefully screenshot their Snaps and chat messages
• Note all incident dates, times and details in a journal
• Back up and secure this documentation offline

This evidence can then be used to:

• Report incidents to Snapchat for account deletion
• File complaints with cyber harassment organizations
• Provide to law enforcement if needed

Once safely documented, immediately block the harasser on Snapchat and other channels you can control. This cuts off their access while you pursue resolution.

Legal Rights and Law Enforcement

If the harassment escalates to clear threats, stalking or endangerment, consider escalating the matter to law enforcement. Depending on your jurisdiction, charges like criminal threatening or stalking may apply to severe cases of cyber harassment.

Be prepared to cooperate with officials and consent to legal data requests. Note Snapchat‘s law enforcement guide covers:

• Preservation Requests – Snapchat preserves message history/evidence once legally requested
• Search Warrants – Snapchat releases specified account records in response to a valid search warrant

So authorities have protocols in place to properly investigate incidents stemming from Snapchat. Don‘t hesitate to exercise your legal rights if you are the victim of credible threats or sustained abuse.

Creating a Culture of Consent and Respect

With 42% of teens facing online harassment, we clearly have work to do in fostering digital compassion and respect.

Block and report features should act as safety nets as we progress towards making consent and kindness the norm online.

Some ways we can promote healthy social media culture:

• Start young with digital citizenship education in schools
• Teach and exemplify ethical online behavior in our homes
• Have genuine conversations on reconciling free speech with safety
• Advocate for products designed not just for ‘virality‘ but humanity

The vision: an Internet where technology facilitates more voices, not fearful silence. Where populists persuade based on positivity, not prejudice. And where our best self is amplified, not our worst.

This starts with building understanding, not walls. And progress lies not in reflectively blocking out "the other" at scale, but pausing to reflect within.

Key Takeaways

• Blocking cuts off direct contact with bullies or exes
• Tailor privacy settings to limit indirect exposure
• WhatsApp has the strongest blocking mechanisms
• Document harassment properly before blocking
• Seek legal and counseling support if abuse persists

I hope this guide illuminated Snapchat blocking while offering both practical safety tips and perspective on fostering compassion online. No one, whether adult or child, should have their voice suppressed through intimidation. At the same time, insight helps us see the humanity in those who harass.

While block buttons help technically, ethical progress comes through difficult dialogues, and leading by quiet example.