The software app “How Old Do I Look” has recently gone popular online, from corrupt officials to foreign politicians, from single photos to ones combined with pets. It has triggered a wave of testing one's age from one’s facial features. With the help of facial recognition technology, the software can analyze uploaded photos and identify the gender and age of the users.

Whether the test result is accurate or not, people have taken a great fancy to the software. Statistics show that within a few hours of its issue, more than 210,000 photos had been submitted for the test.

All kinds of apps have emerged in the era of the smart phone, and they have stirred up various trends. Myotee and Fotoplace have become hot spots on various social media. Analysts reckon that these software capture people’s inclination to show off, try new things, and hunt for novelty. That’s why these apps have stood out.

They also respond to people’s demand for social contact in an era of personalization. They not only highlight the concept of originality, but also satisfy youngsters’ sense of participation and accomplishment as well as the need to release their emotions.

Therefore the overnight popularity of “How Old Do I Look” has come not only because it embodies innovation, but also it represents the meaning of life. 

A netizen called Xixihaha commented that the software can filter out time and make us understand how things can be better. Another netizen named Tongyi said the software even sends the simple meessage that smiling can make us look younger. 

Although these kinds of app look quite casual and recreational and have nothing to study, in fact they reflect the diversified attitudes of the people. Skeptics reckon that due to a lack of user loyalty, people will soon develop aesthetic fatigue and most such apps are likely to be no more than a flash in the pan. Time will tell. 

This article was edited and translated from 《全民测“颜龄”：笑着生活才年轻》, source: Xinhua.