Because millions of Gen Z users love AR filters and more, Snapchat is well-liked among them. However, several of the platform’s functions have come under fire, and one especially hazardous tool was forced blocked because users were concerned about using it. The decision to delete Snapchat’s “Solar System” function, which may sound more like a spatial feature but really connects users to other users’ positions, raises a lot of warning flags right away. Here’s what we know about this risky Snapchat feature, including what it is, how to use it, and how it affects Snapchat users.

What Is the “Solar System” Feature on Snapchat?

In basic terms, Snapchat’s solar system function lets users see the distance between friends and contacts by using planets like Mars and Uranus to determine their location. For example, Snapchat will display a user as being very close to you if they have Mars or Venus, indicating that they are nearby your location. Uranus will show you someone who is far away. Only Snapchat+ subscribers, who can access it in numerous countries, can access it.

According to reports, Snapchat’s function has caused anxiety in US youths, which forced the company to step in and update the feature to lessen the problems. Following these reports, the premium option was turned off by default, allowing users to use it whenever they’d want.

It is interesting to note that Snapchat has left the feature in place, but turning it off could not sit well with all users, particularly the parents of the affected teens. Snapchat is attempting to find a happy medium between its users and non-users. As an additional means of indicating that it doesn’t see the need to completely eliminate the service, the platform claims that just a small portion of its paying users really use it.