Control Who Can Send You Messages on Facebook

Facebook makes it easy to get in touch with others, but this can come at a price. If you're getting harassed through Facebook messages, you can take control back by blocking unwanted senders. You can also limit who can send you friend requests.

Steps

Using the Facebook Website

  1. Log into the Facebook website. Facebook no longer allows you to filter messages you receive. Instead, you can only set specific users to be blocked. This is the only way to control who can send you messages.
  2. Click the padlock button in the Facebook header. You'll find this to the right of the Notifications (globe) button.
  3. Click "How do I stop someone from bothering me?" This will open a field that you can enter a user's name into.
  4. Type the name of the user you want to block. Suggestions will appear as you type, allowing you to quickly select the correct person.
  5. Click "Block" to add the user to your block list. You will no longer receive messages from that person, and they will no longer be able to see your posts.
  6. Set who can send you friend requests. Besides blocking people from sending you messages, you can also limit who can send you friend requests:
    • Open the padlock menu again if you closed it.
    • Click the "Who can contact me?" option.
    • Set your friend request privacy settings to "Everyone" or "Friends of friends."

Using the Facebook App

  1. Open the Facebook app. You can no longer filter who can send you messages. Instead, you can add annoying users to your block list, which will prevent future messages from them. This is the only way to control who can send you messages.
  2. Tap the Menu (☰) button. This will open the Facebook app's menu.
  3. Scroll down and tap "Privacy Shortcuts." This will open a new menu allowing you to control who can contact you.
  4. Tap "How do I stop someone from bothering me?" A field will appear where you can enter in a user's name.
  5. Type in the name of the user you want to block and tap "Block." This will open a list of users who match the name you've entered.
  6. Tap "Block" next to the user you want to block. You will no longer receive messages from that user, and they will no longer before able to see your Facebook posts.
  7. Control who can send you friend requests. You can change your privacy settings so that you can only receive friend requests from friends of friends instead of everyone:
    • Return to the "Privacy Shortcuts" menu.
    • Tap "Who can contact me?"
    • Tap "Everyone" and then select "Friends of Friends."

Using Facebook Messenger

  1. Open the Facebook Messenger app. You can't filter who can send you messages in Facebook Messenger, but you can block people so that they can't send you messages in the future. This is the only way to control who can send you Facebook messages.
  2. Tap the Gear button. This will open the Messenger settings menu.
  3. Tap "People." This will open your contact settings.
  4. Tap "Block." This will display all of the users you currently have blocked.
  5. Tap "+ Add Someone." A list of your Facebook contacts will appear.
  6. Tap the person that you want to block. You can scroll through the list or tap the magnifying glass to search for someone specific.
  7. Toggle "Block all messages." This will prevent the person from sending you messages in Messenger. This will not block them in Facebook.[1]
  8. Tap "Block Name"' on Facebook" to completely block someone. This will unfriend you with the person and prevent them from seeing your Facebook posts. You'll be taken to the Facebook mobile site to confirm.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/204908296312159?rdrhc
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