MCLC: Momo social networking app

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: kirk (denton.2 at osu.edu)
Subject: Momo social networking app
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Source: The Guardian (6/12/14):
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/12/momo-chinese-app-exposes-
sex-divide

Momo, the Chinese app that exposes sex and generational divides
Momo attracts 100m social networking users, but is trying to shake off its
'hookup' reputation
By Nicola Davison in Shanghai

When Chen Xiaozhe downloaded the smartphone application Momo, his
intentions were clear. "My principal motive was to try to have sex with a
wide variety of girls," said Chen, 27, who runs an online shop.

To attract potential dates, Chen updates his profile with photos of his
BMW or selfies in posh restaurants. It is easier to meet women online,
according to Chen, because in person they tend to be shy, if
money-oriented. "If I can manage to satisfy their material desires,
generally they are willing to sleep with me," he said.

In a country with 700 million smartphone and tablet users, the mobile
sector has become a hotbed of innovative startups. One recent success is
Momo, a social networking app created in 2011 that has experienced growth
akin to that of products by China's technology giants, such as Tencent's
WeChat. In August 2012, Momo had 10 million users; by February this year
there were 100 million, or double the number on New York-based networking
site Foursquare.

Momo is free to download and uses location to connect users through
one-to-one or group chats. It offers various services such as online
gaming and local interest forums. But its reputation, much like that of
Tinder, is for facilitating one-night stands.

Zhang Chenyi, a 23-year-old administrator with dyed chestnut hair, a
cropped T-shirt and fake eyelashes, gets propositioned on Momo 10 times a
day. "I want to make as many friends as possible," she said, revealing a
typical divide in the motives of male and female users. "If I communicate
with a guy on Momo for around one month, and feel that I understand him, I
would consider going for dinner."

China's rapid modernisation has given rise to a young generation
whoseattitudes towards sex and relationships are starkly different from
that of their parents and grandparents. Premarital sex is now common, but
puritanical attitudes endure.

While Momo's salacious reputation forms part of its appeal, it also causes
problems. Momo was the only app chastised during the National Office
Against Pornographic and Illegal Publication's latest crackdown on online
porn. A report in Xinhua, the state-owned news agency, described it as
"hormone-filled" and a tool for sex workers to lure customers.

Lately, Momo has attempted to distance itself from its "hook-up"
association through marketing campaigns. "It could be controversial for
Momo to be associated with corrupting young people," said Steven Millward,
chief editor of Tech in Asia. "We've seen recently that authorities are
worried about people being corrupted by US television shows. There's an
attempt to protect the moral fibre."

For users such as Chen, Momo is simply a way to meet like-minded people.
"Face-to-face we pretend to be pure and clean, but we all have dirty
thoughts," he said. "I am still young, I wish to experience the best of
life and in all honesty I enjoy having sex with different girls. Momo
makes it happen."

Some names have been changed.