Digital Lifelines: Check-in Apps Emerge Amid Rising Solitude

A new category of digital check-in applications has emerged, gaining traction particularly in China, as a response to the growing number of individuals living alone and concerns about potential unnoticed emergencies. These applications, including 'Are You Dead?', 'Demumu', 'Snug Safety', and 'Alone', require users to periodically confirm their well-being, subsequently notifying designated emergency contacts if a check-in is missed. This trend aligns with a global increase in single-person households and broader discussions surrounding social isolation.

The 'Are You Dead?' App: Origins and Functionality

The application 'Are You Dead?', released in May of the previous year and developed by three individuals in their 20s, became the most downloaded paid app in China. Its core function involves users clicking a button every two days to confirm they are alive. In the event of a missed check-in, the app automatically contacts an appointed emergency contact. The service is priced at 8 yuan (approximately $1.10) in China.

Societal Context and Global Adoption

The popularity of 'Are You Dead?' is linked to an increase in individuals living alone. Projections suggest that China could reach 200 million one-person households by 2030, a substantial rise from the current figure of over 100 million single-person households. This demographic shift is attributed to decades of urbanization and economic growth in China, which has led many young people to relocate away from their extended families.

Ian Lü, one of the developers, stated that the app addresses the need for frictionless check-ins, recognizing that daily manual messages for well-being checks may be impractical, particularly for introverts.

The demand for such applications extends internationally, with downloads recorded in countries including Singapore, the Netherlands, Britain, India, Australia, Spain, and the United States. This reflects a wider global trend: U.S. Census data from 2020 indicates that over a quarter of households are single-person, more than double the proportion recorded in 1960.

Diverse User Experiences and Motivations

Individuals utilizing these applications report various motivations for their adoption:

• Wilson Hou (38, Beijing) downloaded 'Are You Dead?' due to concerns about being alone while working away from his family, designating his mother as his emergency contact.
• Yuan Sangsang (38), who has lived alone for a decade, expressed a hope that the app would assist relatives in the event of her death.
• Chen Xingyu (32) found the app interesting but articulated concerns regarding data security.
• Johnny Miller (57, former IT analyst), a user of Demumu, stated that the app provides a sense of being cared for. He observed a decline in substantial communication among individuals and reported finding comfort in the app's widespread adoption and the shared circumstances of other users.

  Johnny Miller (57, former IT analyst), a user of Demumu, stated that the app provides a sense of being cared for.

• Jamie Gartner (40, writing coach) downloaded Snug Safety following a mental health breakdown, primarily concerned for the welfare of her pets should she become incapacitated while living alone. She noted minimal check-ins from others during this period and observed that remote work can sometimes lead to up to a week without face-to-face human interaction.

  She noted minimal check-ins from others during this period and observed that remote work can sometimes lead to up to a week without face-to-face human interaction.

• Kenneth Badertscher (64, Tucson, Arizona), living alone after his wife's death, uses Snug Safety with two neighbors as mutual emergency contacts, reporting that this arrangement fostered closer connections.

Challenges and App Name Evolution

The direct name "Are You Dead?" generated public discussion, as death is a sensitive topic in Chinese culture. Some users suggested alternative names such as 'Are you ok?' or 'How are you?'. Moonscape Technologies, the developer, acknowledged this feedback and considered a name change. They initially announced a transition to "Demumu" to serve solo dwellers globally, but this new name was not well-received. Subsequently, the development team launched a contest, offering a reward of 666 yuan (approximately $96) for a new name suggestion.

Broader Landscape of Check-in Services

Other safety check-in applications have also emerged to address this societal need:

• Snug Safety: According to CEO Preet Anand, the concept for Snug Safety originated from a conversation with a 70-year-old woman concerned about not being found if an incident occurred while she lived alone. While initially targeting older adults, its user base expanded to include single mothers, college students, pet owners, and individuals with health conditions.

  Anand describes the app as a "daily touchpoint," particularly valuable when consistent social contact is challenging to establish.

• Alone: Developed by Tugrul Cirakoglu, who operates a crime scene cleaning company in the Netherlands. Cirakoglu stated his motivation stemmed from witnessing cases where bodies remained unnoticed for extended periods, aiming to prevent such unattended deaths.

Expert Commentary on Solitude and Social Connection

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Director of the Social Connection & Health Lab at Brigham Young University, noted that the demand for these safety apps indicates broader societal shifts. These shifts include reduced face-to-face social interaction, diminishing mutual reliance, and societal barriers that impede social connection. A survey led by Holt-Lunstad suggested that most U.S. adults meet with close contacts twice a month or less and generally do not participate in group activities.

Holt-Lunstad also proposed that social media can sometimes provide misleading impressions of social connection, and that technological interdependence and evolving social norms have contributed to decreased mutual reliance.
She emphasized that both offering and requesting help are essential for fostering connection, observing a rise in both social disconnection and disengagement.

The emergence and increasing popularity of these digital check-in applications underscore a contemporary societal need to address safety and well-being in an increasingly urbanized and individualized world, where traditional support structures may be less prevalent.