Blocking and unfriending people on social media has become an almost automatic response when faced with opposing views or offensive comments. It seems like the easiest way to avoid discomfort, but in the long run, this practice can create an echo chamber.
An echo chamber is an environment where a person only encounters information or opinions that reflect and reinforce their own. When you unfriend or block people with differing views, you might be unintentionally isolating yourself in a bubble of like-minded individuals. This can lead to a distorted understanding of the world, where only your views and beliefs are validated, making it difficult to empathize with or even understand different perspectives.
Why is this a problem? When you surround yourself with only those who agree with you, your views become more extreme and less grounded in reality. This lack of exposure to diverse opinions can stifle personal growth, as it prevents you from challenging your beliefs and learning from others. Over time, this can lead to a rigid mindset, where you become more fixated on your own thoughts and less open to change.
The 2016 U.S. elections provide a powerful example. Like many, I was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton and found it difficult to understand why anyone would support Donald Trump. However, I chose not to unfriend or block those who had different opinions. I wanted to understand their reasoning, even if I initially disagreed with them. Over time, by engaging with these different viewpoints, my own perspective began to shift. While I still recognize Trump’s flaws, I’ve come to appreciate that not everything he did was wrong, and that the Democratic Party has also made significant mistakes in recent years.
This experience taught me the value of keeping an open mind. Blocking or unfriending people with opposing views may shield you from discomfort, but it also limits your growth. By staying connected to those with different opinions, you allow yourself to be exposed to new ideas and perspectives, which can challenge and refine your own beliefs.
Now, I choose not to block people anymore, unless they are spamming or being overtly vulgar (or being *truly* offensive.) Instead, I seek to engage with different viewpoints, ask questions, and learn from others. I actively visit sites with conflicting opinions, like Reddit, X, and news outlets like Fox and CNN, to ensure I’m not trapped in an echo chamber.
In the end, our growth depends on our willingness to challenge our own beliefs. If we can improve by just 1% each day, the cumulative effect can make us 37 times better over a year. Why hinder that growth by blocking those who can offer us the most valuable lessons?