As a result of reports linking the Snapchat function to anxiety in US teens, the platform decided to take action and change the feature to allay worries.
With millions of users, Snapchat has become incredibly popular among Generation Z thanks to its alluring AR filters and other features. But several features of the site have drawn criticism, especially one that caused a lot of users to express serious worries. Snapchat has decided to turn off its “Solar System” feature, which at first glance seems harmless but actually involves disclosing other users’ locations. This created a lot of concerns about user safety and privacy. What precisely is this possibly harmful Snapchat feature, how is it being utilized, and what are the ramifications for Snapchat users? Here’s everything we know about it as of right now.
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Anxiety
What Is The Solar System Feature On Snapchat?
With the help of planets like Mars and Uranus, among others, users may follow the location of their friends and contacts using Snapchat’s solar system feature. For instance, Snapchat will indicate someone’s proximity to your position by showing them the Mars or Venus logos. On the other hand, the icon of a distant person will be connected to Uranus. This function is available in multiple countries and is only available to Snapchat+ subscribers.
What was the problem?
As a result of reports linking the Snapchat function to anxiety in US teens, the platform decided to take action and change the feature to allay worries. In response to these reports, the premium feature has been turned off by default, giving customers the choice to turn it on or off.
Remarkably, Snapchat decided against completely removing the feature, even though some users—parents of the impacted kids in particular—might not be altogether satisfied with its deactivation. Striking a balance between users who value the functionality and those who don’t is the platform’s goal. Furthermore, Snapchat notes that the feature is only used by a small portion of its paying members, suggesting that there is no quick plan to remove it completely.
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