X (formerly Twitter) is making changes to how blocking works on its platform. Previously, when someone blocked you on X, they could still reply to your posts, potentially leading to abuse. However, with the new changes, if a user who has blocked you replies to one of your posts, you will now be able to see their reply. This allows you to identify and report any potential bad content that you previously could not view, ensuring the integrity of the platform.
The decision to change the block feature comes after X owner Elon Musk criticized its functionality, stating that it “makes no sense.” Musk believes that X should function as a “public town square” and the current block feature does not align with this vision. While the block feature has not been completely removed, it appears that X is working towards modifying it to better suit Musk’s idea.
X’s Engineering team explained that the goal of these changes is to give users control over their experience while maintaining the public visibility of posts. However, there is still an unresolved issue regarding reporting abuse on X. Despite reporting numerous scam accounts over the past few months, they continue to appear on the platform. X’s strategy of charging users for the “verified” blue checkmark has also not effectively addressed this problem.
It is crucial for social media platforms like X to continuously improve their moderation and safety measures to protect users from abuse and harassment. Recent studies have shown that online abuse can have severe consequences on individuals’ mental health and well-being. Therefore, platforms must take proactive steps to address these issues and create a safer online environment.
One possible solution could be implementing stronger algorithms and artificial intelligence systems to detect and remove abusive content automatically. This would reduce the burden on users to report abuse and increase the efficiency of moderation efforts. Additionally, working closely with law enforcement agencies and providing them with the necessary resources to tackle online harassment can also contribute to a safer online space.
It is essential for X to prioritize user safety and take immediate action to address the ongoing problem of abuse on its platform. By doing so, X can ensure that it remains a valuable and trusted platform for users to express themselves while minimizing the risk of harm.
