Relief for Sources, Distress for Targets: Asymmetric Psychological Experiences of Social Media Blocking

Social media blocking elicits asymmetric psychological consequences. Mixed-method analyses (N = 130) indicate that sources experience relief, restored control, and improved well-being, whereas targets report confusion, communication adjustments, lower need satisfaction, and higher rejection-related emotions. Blocking functions as a boundary-setting tool for sources and a social exclusion experience for targets.