The term “social media assets” can be used to describe the content that makes up your social media presence ranging from images, photos, interaction, and any user-generated content you are tagged in. When you die, your profile on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites remains a digital footprint and usually becomes a place where people go to memorialize their loved ones. To make sure your legacy lives on and ensure the right people have access to these accounts there are steps that you can take to plan.
For accounts like Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat there isn’t currently a way to designate someone to manage your account after you die. If you wish to have your account discarded after you die, have a family member reach out with proof of death. At times, they will either deactivate your account or in some cases, Instagram will memorialize your account.
On the other hand, accounts like Facebook and YouTube give you the option to designate a person that can be contacted and who can access the account when you die.
For Facebook, in your settings you may designate someone as your legacy contact. The person will have the power to accept friend requests, pin a tribute post and change your profile picture and cover photo.
On YouTube or other Google-related platforms, an immediate family member can request funds and close the account. To control access to YouTube and other Google-owned accounts, you can make changes in Google’s Inactive Account Manager. This will have a person of your choice be contacted if your account has been inactive for a specified period of time-they also will gain access to any accounts you allow and will be sent data you have chosen to share with them through a link.
To ensure that your social media accounts are in the right hands and the proper actions are taken after you have passed, you should put instructions in your estate plan for guidance and make sure your legacy lives digitally. Give us a call if you have any questions about how to manage your digital assets in your estate plan.