A newly launched app titled “Are You Dead” has rapidly gained popularity across China, becoming the top-paid download on the country’s app stores. With a simple yet stark concept, the app has struck a chord with many young people living alone in urban areas.
According to Bloomberg, the app, which is available for just 8 yuan (around $1.15), was launched quietly in May by the start-up Moonscape Technologies. It has since gone viral, largely due to its unique and thought-provoking function. The app requires users to check in by pressing a button every one or two days to confirm they are still alive. If the user fails to log in, the app will automatically notify a nominated emergency contact, indicating that the user might be in trouble.
The app’s rise in popularity highlights a broader social issue in China. As reported by Statista, in 2018, there were about 200 million single adults living in China, with more than a third of them living alone. Additionally, the average household size has steadily decreased from nearly 4 people per household in 1990 to around 2.87 in 2011, and further down to 2.8 in 2023. Research suggests that by 2030, China could have up to 200 million one-person households, driven by urbanization, delayed marriage, and an aging population.
Despite its success, the app has faced criticism for its blunt and morbid name. Developers have acknowledged this feedback and are considering changing the name, already marketing the app internationally under the softer name “Demumu.”
The popularity of “Are You Dead” is a stark reminder of the growing loneliness epidemic among China’s urban youth, with many seeking ways to feel connected or secure as they navigate life on their own.
