In China, one of the most popular paid apps is called "Are You Dead?", which triggers an alarm when the user fails to check in twice consecutively. This app is part of a growing phenomenon known as the "loneliness economy," which has been developing rapidly in the country.
The growth of this economy is linked to new technologies and changes in Chinese consumer patterns. Many services and products are being created specifically to meet the needs of people who live alone or face isolation.
Changes in traditional family patterns contribute to this phenomenon. Functions that were traditionally provided by families, such as companionship, care, and emotional support, are now being replaced by paid commercial and technological services.
This expanding market reflects profound social changes in contemporary Chinese society, where more and more people turn to commercial solutions to meet needs that were previously satisfied within the family context.
