What feature allows users to prevent others from contacting them on social media?

The feature that allows users to prevent others from contacting them on social media is blocking. When a user blocks another user, it effectively creates a barrier, meaning that the blocked individual cannot see the blocker’s profile, send messages, comment on posts, or interact in any other way. This is a protective measure that gives users full control over their interactions, ensuring that they can maintain a positive online experience free from unwanted communication.

While other options like muting, unfollowing, and hiding do provide some control over interactions, they do not completely sever the connection. For instance, muting allows a user to stop seeing posts or updates from someone without notifying them, but the muted person can still contact the user if they choose to. Similarly, unfollowing stops a user from seeing another person's posts without unfriending them, and hiding typically refers to concealing posts from a news feed without blocking the user altogether. In contrast, blocking is definitive and comprehensive, making it the most effective option for preventing any form of contact.