AITAH For Blocking My Sibling On Social Media After A Fight
Family fights are never easy, but when they spill over into social media, things get messy. I recently made the nuclear decision to block my own sibling after a blowout argument, and now half my family is calling me petty while the other half is secretly cheering me on. Was I wrong to hit that block button? Let me walk you through what happened…
The Fight That Started It
It began with what should have been a simple conversation about holiday plans. My sibling demanded we host Thanksgiving at our place (again), despite me explaining our apartment couldn’t fit 20+ people. What started as a discussion quickly escalated when they began publicly shaming me in family group chats, calling me “selfish” and “anti-family.”
By the next morning, they’d taken it to Facebook with vaguebooking posts like “Some people will always disappoint you” with our mutual friends chiming in not-so-subtly. The final straw? They shared an old childhood photo of us with the caption “Remember when family actually mattered to some people?”
Why I Hit Block
After days of this passive-aggressive warfare, I made a split-second decision while fuming at 2 AM. Blocked. On Facebook, Instagram, even LinkedIn (yes, they’d started commenting on my professional posts too). Immediately, I felt both guilty and liberated.
My reasoning was simple: If we can’t have respectful conversations in private, you don’t get access to my digital life. Social media had become their weapon of choice for emotional manipulation, and I refused to keep supplying ammunition.
The Family Backlash
Within 24 hours, my phone blew up. Our mother called it “childish,” an aunt said I was “tearing the family apart,” while my youngest cousin (bless them) texted “finally someone stood up to [sibling’s name].”
The most frustrating part? No one addressed the actual issue – my sibling’s habit of airing dirty laundry online. Instead, the focus became my “extreme reaction.” Suddenly, I was the villain for setting boundaries rather than them being accountable for crossing lines.
Was It an Overreaction?
In calmer moments, I’ve questioned myself. Maybe I should have muted instead of blocked. Maybe I should have sent one last warning. But here’s the thing – this wasn’t our first rodeo. We’d had the “please stop posting about me” talk after last year’s birthday drama, and clearly, nothing changed.
Psychologists actually recommend digital distancing from toxic relationships. As Dr. Jenn Mann notes in her book, “When family members use social media as a battleground, removing their access to your platforms is an act of self-preservation, not cruelty.”
The Unexpected Benefits
Two weeks post-block, some surprising positives emerged:
- Mental peace: No more dread when opening apps
- Productivity boost: Less time obsessing over their posts
- Better conversations: Our few in-person talks became more substantive without digital theatrics
Most shockingly? My sibling actually apologized last week (via text, but progress!). They admitted feeling “cut off” and finally understood how their online behavior affected me. We’re nowhere near fixed, but it’s a start.
Setting Digital Boundaries
Through this mess, I’ve learned some hard lessons about family and social media:
- Private fights stay private – Once it goes online, the damage multiplies
- Blocks aren’t forever – They can be temporary cooling-off periods
- Explain your reasons – I wish I’d sent a calm email first
Most importantly? Your peace matters. If muting or blocking preserves your mental health during conflict, that’s valid. Family ties don’t give anyone unlimited access to your emotional bandwidth.
Your Verdict: AITAH?
So here’s where I need your honest judgment. Was blocking my sibling an AH move, or a necessary boundary? Could I have handled it better? I’m genuinely torn between feeling justified and wondering if I stooped to their level.
Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Have you ever blocked a family member? How did it play out? Let’s normalize talking about digital boundaries in relationships without shame.
And if you’re facing similar drama, remember: Social media is a tool, not a courtroom. You get to decide who has a front-row seat to your life.
