Shut Up: The Comment Blocker That Saves Your Sanity

The internet's comment sections have become digital wastelands of toxicity, misinformation, and endless arguments that serve no purpose other than to ruin your day. Enter Shut Up, a free browser extension and mobile app that automatically hides comments across virtually any website you visit.

Developed by Steven Frank, Shut Up works by injecting a simple CSS stylesheet called shutup.css into web pages. This stylesheet contains rules that hide comment sections by default, sparing users from the psychological toll of reading inflammatory or pointless online discussions. The extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari on Mac, with a separate iOS app for iPhone and iPad users.

The beauty of Shut Up lies in its simplicity. Once installed, it works automatically in the background without requiring any configuration. Users never have to see comments again if they don't want to, though the extension makes it easy to toggle comments back on when needed. On desktop browsers, a single click of the Shut Up button in the toolbar reveals hidden comments. On iOS devices, users tap the aA icon and select "Turn off Content Blockers."

Shut Up recognizes that not all comment sections are created equal. For platforms where discussions tend to be more constructive, such as GitHub, Dropbox, or Stack Overflow, the extension can be configured to show comments by default. This thoughtful approach acknowledges that comments can sometimes add value when they're well-moderated and relevant to the content.

The extension is completely free with no strings attached. Users simply download, install, and browse without worrying about subscriptions or hidden costs. The iOS version requires iOS/iPadOS 12 or newer and a 64-bit processor, compatible with devices from iPhone 5s onward and various iPad models.

Privacy-conscious users will appreciate that Shut Up doesn't track or spy on browsing activity. The extension only periodically contacts the server for the newest copy of shutup.css, and on Firefox, this update check is omitted entirely. Some temporary diagnostic logs are recorded during updates, but these don't contain personal browsing data.

For the technically inclined, shutup.css is open source on GitHub, allowing developers to submit pull requests if they discover issues with comment blocking or legitimate content being inadvertently hidden. The developer encourages users to report any problems they encounter, ensuring the extension continues to work effectively across the ever-changing landscape of web design.

To activate Shut Up on iOS devices, users must first enable it in Settings under Safari > Content Blockers. This extra step ensures users have control over when the extension begins blocking content. If content restrictions are enabled on the device, users may need to temporarily disable them to activate Shut Up, then re-enable the restrictions afterward.

In an era where online discourse has become increasingly polarized and toxic, Shut Up offers a simple yet effective solution for preserving mental health while browsing the web. By giving users the power to control their exposure to comments, it transforms the browsing experience from a potential minefield of negativity into a more peaceful and focused activity.