Manage user blocks in Finalsite Chat

To maintain a safe and professional environment, Finalsite Chat provides administrators with the ability to restrict users who violate community standards. 

This article explains the different types of blocks, how to block and unblock users, how being blocked displays in the feature for the admin and chat manager, and what blocked users experience on their end.

In this Article

• Types of blocks: Local vs. global
• Block and unblock users
  • By location 
  • By task
• Visual cues for administrators
• The blocked user experience
  • On the mobile app
  • On the web interface
• SIS user blocks
• Key takeaways for administrators
• FAQs

Types of blocks: Local vs. global

When you decide to block a user, you must choose the scope of the restriction. Understanding the difference ensures that the disciplinary action matches the severity of the situation.

• Chat room block (local): User is restricted only within the specific chat room where the violation occurred.
  • Best for: Minor infractions or context-specific issues (e.g., a student being disruptive in a specific "Chess Club" room but allowed to participate in their "Class of 2026" room).
  • Duration: Can be set in the Message moderation tab for 24 hours or permanent.
• Global block: User is restricted from all chat rooms and direct messages across the entire Finalsite Chat platform for your organization.
  • Best for: Severe violations, hate speech, or safety threats that require a total removal of communication privileges.
  • Duration: Can be set in the Message moderation tab for 24 hours or permanent.

Block and unblock users

Administrators can manage user restrictions across three primary areas: 

1. On the mobile app within the Chat feature.
2. In the CMS > Mobile apps module > Chats > Message moderation tab.
3. In the CMS > Mobile apps module > Chats > Chats explorer tab.

While most locations offer standard blocking durations, some tabs provide unique actions like deleting a user or unreporting a message: 

By location 

By task

Task	Location	Process
Report user (App Chats feature)	Mobile App room then Chat module	1. Open the chat room Long-press the offending message Select Report. 2. An administrator can then view reported message in Mobile Apps module > Chat > Message moderation.
Block user (CMS)	Message moderation tab	Navigate to Mobile Apps module > Chat > Message Moderation. In the Reported tab, click the 3-dot menu next to a message and select the desired block level.
Unblock user (App)	Room settings	Open the room settings and scroll to view members. Locate the individual with the icon, tap on the name, and select Unblock.
Unblock user (CMS)	Blocked tab	Navigate to Message Moderation Blocked. Click the 3-dot menu next to the user's name and select either Global unblock or Permanent global unblock.

Visual cues for administrators

To help you manage rooms efficiently, the interface provides immediate visual feedback regarding a user's status:

• In the Member list: When you view the participants of a room (Room Settings > Members), any blocked individual is marked with a small circle and diagonal line icon designating “not allowed” and helping to quickly see who is restricted without having to open the moderation dashboard.

• In the Message history: If a user is blocked globally or locally, their previous messages remain visible unless you manually select Hide message, but they will no longer have an "active" presence in the typing indicator.

The blocked user experience

A common question is: "What does the student or parent see once I block them?" The interface changes immediately to prevent further communication while clearly stating the user's status.

On the mobile app

When the blocked user logs in, a notification will appear on the Chat icon in the bottom toolbar. The message input field (where the user normally types) is completely removed. In its place, a greyed-out notification appears:

You are blocked from communicating in _____ (chat name) until [Date and Time].

On the web interface

Similar to the app, the text entry area is disabled. While the notification clearly states that the user is blocked, please note that the web version currently does not display the specific expiration date/time. The user will simply remain unable to type until the block is lifted or expires.

SIS user blocks

If a user is blocked in Finalsite Chat, they are not removed from the SIS-synced roster. They remain in the Member list with the icon. If they are completely withdrawn from your school and removed from the SIS, they will disappear from the Chat room entirely during the next sync.

FAQs

Q: If I block a user in one room, can they still DM (direct message)? 
A: If you apply a Chat room block (local), yes, they can still send direct messages or participate in other rooms. To stop all communication, including DMs, you must apply a Global block.

Q: Does blocking a user delete their past messages? 
A: No. Blocking only prevents future messages. To remove existing content that has already been posted, you must select Hide message from the 3-dot menu in the Message moderation tab.

Q: What happens when a 24-hour block expires? 
A: Access is restored automatically. The "You are blocked" notification will disappear from the user's text input field, and the "not allowed" icon will vanish from the member list. The admin does not need to take any manual action to unblock them.

Q: Can a "Chat Manager" (like a Teacher) issue a Global Block? 
A: No, in the mobile app, Teachers can report users and adjust room-level posting permissions. High-level Global Blocks are reserved for Site Administrators or anyone granted permissions within the CMS module.

Q: If a student is blocked, can they still see what others are typing? 
A: Yes. Being blocked is a "read-only" state. They can still see all incoming messages and files in the room; they simply cannot respond or contribute until the block is lifted.

Q: Will the user get a push notification when they are blocked? 
A: No. To avoid escalating the situation, the system does not send a "You have been blocked" alert. The user will discover the block the next time they open the app and see the restricted text field.