How to Block and Report Someone Online
A simple, step-by-step child-friendly guide to blocking and reporting someone in a game or app — and why telling a grown-up matters too.
Block stops someone talking to you. Report tells the app they broke the rules. Do both if you need to — and always tell a grown-up as well.
If someone online is being mean, scary, or makes you feel uncomfortable, you have two powerful buttons on your side: block and report. They are easy to use, and using them is never rude or wrong. Here is what they do and how to use them.
What 'block' does
Blocking someone stops them from talking to you, messaging you, or seeing you in a game or app. It is like closing a door on them. You can almost always block someone by tapping on their name or picture and looking for the word 'Block'. You do not need to explain why, and they usually will not be told that you blocked them. Blocking is always okay to do.
What 'report' does
Reporting tells the people who run the game or app that someone has broken the rules — like being mean, scary, or asking for something they should not. You usually report by tapping on a message, picture, or name and looking for 'Report'. The people who run the app can then look at what happened and stop that person from doing it again.
Tell a grown-up as well
Blocking and reporting are great first steps, but always tell a parent, carer, or teacher too — especially if someone scared you, asked for photos, or asked to meet up. A grown-up can help you stay safe and decide if anyone else needs to know. You will never be in trouble for telling.
If you ever need someone to talk to, you can call Childline for free on 0800 1111.
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-29