Breaking Ties on Facebook and Instagram: Gender Differences in Unfriending, Unfollowing, and Blocking and the Impact of Pruning on Social Connectedness

The current studies explored which social network site (SNS) behaviors are predicted by gender, and the consequences of these behaviors. Gender predicted SNS maintenance, and blocking was often a response to harassment or relationship dissolution. Specific pruning behaviors predicted social resources, although personal characteristics (e.g., anxiety) may prevent resource access.