A new app in China, “Are You Dead?”, is seeing a surge in downloads as fears around living alone grow. The application requires users to check in every two days to confirm their safety, targeting the increasing number of individuals residing in one-person households.
The significance of this app reflects a growing concern in China, where projections suggest that by 2030, there could be as many as 200 million single-person households. As urbanization increases, many citizens are facing loneliness and vulnerability, prompting innovative solutions like this to address mental health and safety concerns among the population.
Key Developments
- The app, launched in May 2022, has now become the most downloaded paid application in China.
- Users need to click a button every 48 hours to signal they are alive; failure to do so alerts an appointed emergency contact.
- Young people, particularly those living alone in urban areas, are downloading the app in large numbers amid fears of dying unnoticed.
- Despite its morbid name, the developers are considering a rebranding after receiving mixed feedback.
- The app’s creators are also contemplating developing a version tailored for elderly users, acknowledging the needs of a rapidly aging population.
Full Report
The “Are You Dead?” app has been created by a small team in Zhengzhou, Henan. Initially launched without much fanfare, the application has skyrocketed in popularity, particularly among the youthful demographic. Users express concern over dying alone without anyone to provide assistance, with one person commenting on social media about the traumatic thought of being discovered after death.
Wilson Hou, a 38-year-old user, exemplifies the app’s target audience. Living 100 kilometers from his family while working in Beijing, he worries about the implication of solitude. “I could die alone in the place I rent, and no one would know,” he said. Consequently, he set his mother as his emergency contact on the app.
Despite its catchy premise, some are criticizing the app’s name. Suggestions for more uplifting titles have emerged, as users remark that the name might evoke bad luck. Developers from Moonscape Technologies have acknowledged this feedback and are evaluating a potential name change while gaining international traction under the title “Demumu.”
With a subscription fee of approximately $1.15, the app has drawn interest beyond China, rising to prominence in countries like the U.S., Singapore, and Australia. The developers estimate that the app cost only 1,000 yuan ($140) to create and are currently seeking investors to grow their business, reflecting the app’s growing economic and social relevance.
The creators have also expressed their ambition to develop a version tailored specifically for elderly citizens, heightening awareness of their needs in a society where over 20% of the population is aged 60 or older. A recent post from the team called for increased attention on the elderly, emphasizing that they, too, deserve respect and support.
Context & Previous Events
A report from the Chinese state media outlet Global Times underscored the escalating number of one-person households, citing that the figure could reach 200 million by 2030. The app stems from a broader need for mental health resources and companionship in an aging and increasingly urbanized country.
