"While part of the app's appeal is its dark humor, many people who live alone have signed up for its practicality and to relieve a very serious fear of dying unbeknownst to anyone for days or weeks. Soon after its release last summer, the app went viral first among young people in China sparking discourse about the country's grueling work culture, dwindling marriage rates and a shift toward individualism."
"In many countries around the world, more people are living by themselves. That includes the U.S., where over a quarter of all households comprise one person more than double the share in 1960, according to 2020 Census data. The nation's trend toward physical solitude also parallels rates of loneliness and social isolation. Demumu is one of many safety apps that have popped up over the years, designed for people living solo."
An app named Sileme (later English name Demumu) requires users to check in daily and notifies a designated emergency contact after missed check-ins. The app combines dark humor with practical safety for people living alone who fear dying unnoticed. It viralized first among young Chinese users and spurred conversation about intense work culture, low marriage rates, and rising individualism. The app achieved international popularity as a top paid download in multiple countries. Rising single-person households and growing loneliness and social isolation have increased demand for safety apps that compensate for reduced face-to-face interactions and mutual reliance.
Read at www.npr.org
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