Screenshot shows safety monitoring app "Are You Dead?" topping Apple's paid App Store ranking on Saturday.

A safety monitoring app named "Are You Dead?" specifically for users living by themselves has drawn attention on the app store. Its name, minimalist functionality, and the social issues it reflects have sparked discussions across China's internet. An expert said that although the app's blunt name has sparked polarized opinions, its social function is necessary, and improvements and iterations are expected.

The app topped Apple's paid App Store ranking on Saturday. The app is designed as a safety tool for people living alone. Users set emergency contacts and check in daily. If they fail to check in for consecutive days, the system automatically sends an email to their emergency contacts the following day.

The Global Times reporter found on Saturday that the app is priced at eight yuan. The interface appeared simple: a central "Check In" button with a reminder stating, "If you do not check in for two days, the system will notify your emergency contact by email the following day in your name."

As of Saturday, the app had attracted widespread attention on Chinese social media, with many short videos discussing it. Its price, name, and the social phenomenon it reflects have all become hot topics online.

Some users hold positive views of the app, saying it is useful not only for elderly people living alone but also for many young adults who live by themselves and face certain risks. Suggestions for improvement included adding heart-rate monitoring and automatic alert detection.

Regarding its name, many users felt it conflicted with Chinese cultural preferences for auspicious or positive meanings. A user surnamed Zhao from Southwest China's Sichuan Province commented, "Death has both a literal and sociological meaning. If it were changed to 'Are You Alive,' I would pay to download it."

Another netizen from Northwest China's Shaanxi Province suggested that the name should reflect care and positive emotions.

The different opinions are mainly about the app's name rather than its social function. Internet expert Liu Dingding told the Global Times on Saturday that the app addresses a genuine social demand in the age of social networks - the health and safety of China's one-person household population, an issue that requires more attention and protection.

In recent years, experts have noted that the growth of China's one-person household population is a broader social trend. Real estate research institutions predict that by 2030, China may have up to 200 million one-person households, with a solo-living rate exceeding 30 percent.

China's one-person household population continues to grow, including both elderly people and younger adults. Liu said the greatest hidden risk for this group is that sudden illness or accidents may go unnoticed. The app meets this urgent need, and its "straightforward" name directly highlights the safety monitoring needs of those living alone.

The heated online discussion of this product has brought greater societal focus, and similar products may follow with improved features. This is likely to spur further development of comparable products, with iterative functional improvements. Future versions are expected to include richer features, such as monitoring physical health indicators, Liu said.

Global Times