Abstract: Methods and apparatus for blocking content. In one embodiment, an image is examined for pre-selected body portions. If the image contains a body portion (e.g. an image of a face larger than a pre-selected portion of the image) access is allowed. Otherwise, the content may be obscured or blocked with a translucent object either before or after an initial transmission. The image may be part of a video stream such as an instant messaging, web-cam, or video chat room session. The image may be sent or received and-may be examined with facial recognition technology. Additionally, the image may be tagged to indicate whether it contains the sub-image. In addition, the method may be incorporated in a computer program associated with a particular instant messaging program (e.g., the program is a Miranda IM add-on). Server, network, and client computers which may incorporate portions of the program are also provided.