How and Why You Should Write a Social Media Will - Help from USA.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
• Check to see if the social media platforms you use have account management features to let you proactively manage what happens to your accounts after you die. Some services allow you to give permission to friends or family members to access the content you've saved, should you pass away.

Learn more about what else you should include in your will, and your consumer rights when planning a funeral on USA.gov.

CONTACT: Colleen Bayus, [email protected]

SOURCE USA.gov