Unfriended

Unfriended is a term used to describe the act of removing someone from one’s list of online friends on a social media platform. It is commonly encountered on networks that define a “friend” relationship, such as Facebook, and is often contrasted with unfollowing (which preserves the connection but hides posts) and blocking (which restricts access). Unfriending typically removes the link from the user’s friends list, but past messages, posts, or shared content may remain accessible depending on platform design. In some cases the other user is notified, while in others no notification is sent.

The practice reflects online boundary-setting and privacy management in social interactions. Unfriending can be used to curate a feed, reduce unwanted contact, or respond to conflict or discomfort with another user. The social implications of unfriending—such as its impact on relationships, visibility, and reputation—have been discussed in studies of digital civility and online networks. Platform architecture and user expectations influence how people interpret and respond to unfriending.

In popular culture, unfriended is the title of a 2014 American horror film written and directed by Leo Gabriadze. The film adopts a screenlife format, presenting events in real time through a computer and mobile device interface as a group of friends is menaced via their online connections. A sequel, Unfriended: Dark Web, was released in 2018 and directed by Stephen Susco; it centers on a protagonist who encounters dangerous secrets hidden within a private laptop and the darker aspects of online anonymity.