In response to the criticism and mental health concerns, Snapchat has now made the Solar System feature optional by turning it off by default.
New Delhi: Snapchat rolled out Friend Solar Systems in 2022 as an exclusive feature for Snapchat+, its new paid subscription service. The feature was part of Snapchat’s efforts to attract users to Snapchat+ by offering exclusive, experimental features to subscribers. Friend Solar Systems aimed to increase user engagement by gamifying friendships and encouraging interaction to improve planet rankings.
Here’s how the Friends Solar System feature works and why it has raised concerns about anxiety amongst teens.
How Snapchat’s Solar System Feature Works
- In the Solar System metaphor, you are represented as the “Sun,” and your eight closest friends on Snapchat are assigned “planets” based on the frequency of your interactions.
- The planet order from closest to furthest friend is: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Mercury represents your best friend that you interact with the most, while Neptune is your 8th closest friend.
- Tapping on a friend’s “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge reveals which planet position you occupy in their solar system.
Why It’s Causing Anxiety Among Some Teens
- For teens whose social lives revolve heavily around Snapchat, the Solar System ranking can feel very personal and important.
- Seeing their planet position drop with certain friends, like a crush, can be hurtful and result in feelings of insecurity and anxiety.
- Some worry the feature could negatively impact real-life relationships and mental well-being as teens put too much stock into the digital ranking.
- There are concerns that teens may develop unhealthy emotional attachments to the AI chatbot “My AI” on Snapchat as well.
Changes to the Solar System Feature
In response to the criticism and mental health concerns, Snapchat has now made the Solar System feature optional by turning it off by default. Subscribers can still choose to enable it. The controversy highlights the need for social media companies to carefully consider the potential psychological impacts, especially on younger users, when rolling out new features. Experts recommend open discussions between platforms, users, and mental health professionals to implement appropriate safeguards.
Other Snapchat+ Features
In addition to the Friend Solar Systems feature, Snapchat+ offers several other exclusive features for subscribers:
Custom App Icons and Themes
- Snapchat+ users can change their homescreen Snapchat app icon with over 30 custom designs.
- Subscribers can also customise the colour, badge, and appearance of the app using the “Capturing Color” option.
Story Rewatch Indicator and Boost
- Premium users see an eye(👀) emoji under Stories that friends have rewatched, along with a count of rewatches.
- The Story Boost feature allows subscribers to boost a private story for 24 hours to get more friend views.
Bitmoji Backgrounds and Snapchat+ Badges
- Subscribers can give their Bitmojis special backgrounds like gold or beach paradise.
- A Snapchat+ badge helps identify subscribers on the platform.
Priority Replies and Notification Sounds
- Replies to other users’ stories by Snapchat+ subscribers are more visible.
- Custom notification sounds can be set for different friends.
Chat Features
- Subscribers can pin a #1 Best Friend (BFF) to keep their chat at the top.
- Custom chat wallpapers and post view emojis allow further chat personalisation.
Gifting and Snapstreak Restore:
- Snapchat+ subscribers can gift a 12-month subscription to friends.
- Subscribers get more Snapstreak restores per month to repair broken streaks.
These exclusive features, which are regularly expanded, aim to enhance the Snapchat experience and provide additional customisation options for Snapchat+ subscribers. However, the core Snapchat features remain available to all users.