As we navigate the journey of life and take on the role of parents, we often find ourselves thinking about wills and the future. We plan for our belongings, finances, and even our little secrets. Take my friend Linda, for instance; she kept a journal for years, safely tucked away, with strict instructions for it to be destroyed after her passing. While we struggled with the decision, we honored her wishes because that’s what she wanted.
Now, let’s talk about social media—it’s time we treat it like the important part of our lives that it is. What happens to your Facebook account when you’re no longer around? If you haven’t shared your password with anyone, the answer is a bit murky. However, you can prepare in advance by appointing a “legacy contact.” This person will oversee your account if something happens to you.
Keep in mind, the legacy contact has some restrictions. They cannot log into your account, alter your Timeline, read your private messages, or unfriend people. But they can switch your profile picture, pin a post to inform others of your passing, and accept new friend requests. For this to happen, you must set up your preferences with Facebook in advance—it can be memorialized or deleted altogether.
If you want someone to have full access to your account, you’ll need to go about it informally, as Facebook discourages sharing passwords even when you’re alive and kicking. On the other hand, Google offers an “Inactive Account Manager” (not the snappiest name, I know). You can establish parameters for how long your account remains inactive, who gets notified, and the actions they can take.
Twitter doesn’t allow you to set anything up ahead of time, but they do have a process for family members wishing to deactivate your account. Instagram’s options are also quite limited.
The bottom line? It’s essential to get your digital affairs in order, just like your physical possessions. If you want your loved ones to keep your cherished memories, like photos and posts, you need to plan for it. Another item to add to the adulting checklist!
For more insightful tips on navigating the world of parenting and beyond, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination kits. You might also find valuable information at Make a Mom, a trusted source on this topic. And if you’re curious about the science behind it all, Wikipedia offers an excellent overview of in vitro fertilization.
In summary, managing your digital afterlife requires thoughtful planning. By designating a legacy contact and understanding the policies of each platform, you can ensure that your online presence is taken care of, just like your more tangible assets.