Social media is a part of daily life, but what happens to the online content that you created once you die?
If you have social media profiles set up online, you should create a statement of how you would like your online identity to be handled. Just like a traditional will helps your survivors handle your physical belongings, a social media will spells out how you want your online identity to be handled.
Like with a traditional will, you'll need to appoint someone you trust as an online executor. This person will be responsible for closing your email addresses, social media profiles, and blogs after you are deceased. Take these steps to help you write a social media will:
- Review the privacy policies and the terms and conditions of each website where you have a presence.
- State how you would like your profiles to be handled. You may want to completely cancel your profile or keep it up for friends and family to visit. Some sites allow users to create a memorial profile where other users can still see your profile but can't post anything new.
- Give the social media executor a document that lists all the websites where you have a profile, along with your usernames and passwords.
- Stipulate in your will that the online executor should have a copy of your death certificate. The online executor may need this as proof in order for websites to take any actions on your behalf.
Learn more about what else you should include in your will and how to create an effective estate plan.
Cross-posted from the USA.gov blog.
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It's true that I've had the macabre experience of receiving posts from dead friends. OTOH, maybe I should pay special attention to them. They may be communicating from beyond the pale.
I'm dead.My family knows I'm dead. My friends know I'm dead. My Attorney knows I'm dead.
If social media doesn't know I'm dead, I paid my Attorney to make sure I stay dead.
She will take care of it!!!