Have You Ever Blocked a Family Member on Social Media?
Written by Heather Porter
Published Date September 18, 2024
Share article
Social media offers us a chance to stay connected – sometimes, too connected. Despite our best efforts, many of us have an unsavory person or two clogging up our timelines. But what happens when that person is our own family?
Like we all have that one family member that gets too drunk and loud at a party, safe to say nearly all of us have a family member we’d rather not connect with on social media. Friction with family members is as old as humanity itself, so it stands to reason that being connected with family on a near-constant basis on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok would make matters worse.
Some people go as far as blocking, muting, or unfollowing their closest family members on social media just to keep the peace. What motivates this decision? We studied UK social media users to find out what motivates them to click “block” not just for frenemies, but aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and immediate family members alike.
Key findings
53% of UK Facebook users say they’ve blocked a family member on the platform, compared to 28% on Instagram and 20% on TikTok
The top reason for blocking a family member on Facebook is posting hateful, toxic, or problematic content.
TikTok and Instagram users are blocking their family members because they don’t wish for them to know about their personal lives
Posting of fake news, political content, and religious content were also notable reasons for blocking family members
Blocked: it’s a family affair
According to our study, 53% of Facebook users in the UK admitted to blocking a family member. On Instagram, this number is lower at 28%, and on TikTok, only 20% reported blocking a family member. That’s an average of 34% across social media platforms, meaning over one-third of UK users refuse to see content from family members online.
But blocking is an extreme measure. Some take it incredibly personally, and it can cause conflict when the other party finds out. With that in mind, why are these blocks happening in the UK anyway?
The Facebook problem
Facebook, often viewed as the ultimate platform for connecting with friends and family, is now seeing increasing conflict between generations. More than half of UK Facebook users reported having blocked a family member, primarily due to the sharing of toxic or problematic content.
Political and religious debates, as well as the spread of misinformation, have led to mounting tension. Finding it difficult to relate to others (or even recognizing what content is real or not) is proving to be an issue on Facebook, as AI-generated spam content continues to proliferate on Zuckerberg’s site.
Advertiser Disclosure: When you use WhichBingo, there are never any hidden fees or costs. To help fund our work we may earn a referral commission if you create an account via our site. This commission never impacts the impartiality of our reviews and ratings.
New customers only. Up to 200 spins over 4 day period from first deposit & spend of £10. Max 50 spins each day on Fishin’ BIGGER Pots of Gold at 10p per spin for 4 consecutive days. Deposit & spend £10 each day for 50 spins. Spins credited upon spend of £10 each day. 18+ Full T&Cs apply.
Instagram and TikTok – privacy is key
When it comes to Instagram and TikTok, the main motivation for blocking family members shifts from avoiding their posts to protecting your own. Younger users are more inclined to block family members on these apps, simply because they consider them their private spaces, and want to keep them for themselves.
Young people hone their algorithms (not to mention the personal content they post) to reflect their lifestyles, interests, and opinions – in some cases, exploring areas of identity far different from their families. Many people prefer to keep these sides of themselves away from family scrutiny.
Across all platforms, respondents also identified other notable reasons for blocking family, including the desire to avoid their posting of fake news, political views, and religious content.
Where in the UK is family most likely to be blocked?
When broken down by city, some local family blocking trends emerge. Data from major UK cities reveals Glasgow as a hotspot, with a notable 44% of residents reporting they’ve said sayonara to a family member’s social media posts. Over 60% of Glasgow residents have blocked a family member on Facebook alone, the same rate as Londoners.
Cambridge and Edinburgh follow Glasgow with substantial blocking rates, with 42% and 41% of users admitting to blocking a family member on social media, respectively.
The city least likely to block their family is Belfast, at an average of 23%. Either they’re doing something right, or they simply stay off the internet.
First deposit only. 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza slot. Free Spin valued at £0.10. Excludes players in N.I. Irregular play may lead to removal of rewards. OJO’s Rewards and Game Play policy applies.
Whatever it takes to keep the peace
Whether it’s due to a desire to avoid toxic content or the ever-present young person’s keenness to maintain privacy, it’s doubtful that blocking family members on social media will decrease any time soon. As social media usage continues to permeate every aspect of life, managing our relationships online, especially with family, has become a delicate balance. Family members may just have to work harder to stay connected, literally and figuratively.
Methodology
This survey was conducted in September 2024 utilizing a pool of 2,500 United Kingdom residents who are regular users of social media. Respondents’ average age is 33, and 46% identify as men, 51% women, and 3% other gender identities.
Fair Use
If you’d like to share this data, you are welcome to utilize any of the information or graphics above for non-commercial use. Just make sure to include a linked attribution to this page in your article.
Our social star Charlie Shakespeare has been out on the road filming a brand-new, three-part documentary series, Inside Real Fun Group, taking us behind the scenes at three very unique bingo clubs. Different club names. Different looks. Same great game of bingo. The trailer for episode one goes live this Thursday at 5pm. Read on for the inside scoop. Who Is the Real Fun Group? As one of the UK’s largest independent bingo club…
Welcome to The Re-View, where we look back at the trends, the triumphs, and the top-tier sites that defined the year for UK bingo and casino. We took 100% real player data to answer the questions like: What is the most popular day of the year for bingo? Which bingo site was everyone talking about? Editor’s Note: Play Smart, Play Safe We love the thrill of the “Full House” and…
Bingo news that’s literally hot-off-the-press? Yes please. We’re excited to share with you that next year you’ll be able to dab and spin on a whole new platform! ITV Win is entering the real-money online bingo and casino space. Yes, the same people who bring us This Morning, The Chase, and Coronation Street are gearing up to launch “ITV Win Bingo & Spins”. Right now, ITV Win is ITV’s online competitions hub, where…
Christmas is the season for food, family, and, of course, a good game of bingo. But let’s face it, those classic calls could use a little festive spice! We’ve teamed up with the ultimate food connoisseur and bingo expert Tubz to craft a brand new set of Christmas Food Bingo Calls and get his take on the most important meal of the year. Let the festive feasting begin! The Mains:…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
If you want to get more treats than tricks, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the best Halloween bingo games, online Halloween slot games, and the spookiest bingo events. Featuring ‘ugly drag queens’, slasher fishermen, and more; we’ve got Halloween bingo events from Bongo’s Bingo, offers from Heart Bingo, Big Bass Halloween slot details, and more. So, forget ghosts and ghouls, the scariest thing this autumn would be missing out…
Every December, game studios unwrap their festive releases. Cue games with Santa and jingling soundtracks. We’ve tested the newest and most popular Christmas slot games, checked the small print, and brought together the ones that genuinely stand out. In true WhichBingo style, here’s your honest guide to the best Christmas slot games 2025. What they do well, who they suit, and where to play them safely. The 6 Best Christmas Slot…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Aviator, the popular ‘crash-style’ game has been unavailable to UK players for two weeks after its supplier, Spribe, had its operating licence suspended. With an estimated 42 million players per month worldwide and up to 350,000 bets placed every minute, the Aviator game is one of the most popular slot site games in the world. The incident, though frustrating, illustrates the role of regulations, to ensure – among other things…
If you want to get more treats than tricks, we’ve created the ultimate guide to the best Halloween bingo games, online Halloween slot games, and the spookiest bingo events. Featuring ‘ugly drag queens’, slasher fishermen, and more; we’ve got Halloween bingo events from Bongo’s Bingo, offers from Heart Bingo, Big Bass Halloween slot details, and more. So, forget ghosts and ghouls, the scariest thing this autumn would be missing out…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
Gamblers are set for a major win as a new law will soon cap bonus wagering requirements. The changes, which will come into force on 19 January 2026, will cap casino bonus wagering requirements at a maximum of 10x times the bonus amount, a significant drop compared to the wagering requirements some sites have of 65x and higher. Big Win For Players: From £650 to £100 So, how will these…
The Traitors is back with a bang, and Season 4 has returned with a twist so big it’s already sent fans into full detective mode. The brand-new series launched to huge excitement, pulling in over six million viewers on night one, and it’s safe to say the show is already on track to be one of the biggest TV moments of the year. Off the back of the wildly successful…
We sat down with the one and only Rita Simons to chat about Eastenders, Panto (t’is the season after all), and what comes next for the star in 2026. “I remember Watching The Very First Eastenders Episode” Rita grew up watching Eastenders. “I was a massive fan. I watched the first ever episode with my mum, which must have been back in the 80s. I was born in the 70s…
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are perfect for relaxing, grazing on leftovers and, for some of us, sneaking in a quiet game of bingo. The festive downtime got us wondering: why is it called Boxing Day anyway? So we went looking for the answer. While families across the UK ask “Which is the better Boxing Day turkey recipe: turkey sandwiches or turkey curry?” These questions always also come up too: “Why do…
Christmas and TV belong together like turkey and stuffing; think Gavin and Stacey, the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special, and Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. So we’ve rounded up the 11 best Christmas TV picks for 2025: soaps, specials, game shows, films, and old favourites we expect to cause remote control arguments across the country. Every December, TV fans across the UK start asking the big question: “So, what’s on the box for…
by
Esther Rubin
5min
Updated October 7, 2024
Reader comments
Thank you for sharing!
Your comment is awaiting moderation and will be posted soon. Thank you for taking part in our discussion and helping fellow players!
Exclusive news, offers, and competitions. Don't miss out!
2min 
Reader comments