Over the past 10 years, social media has become such a large part of life. People in our society shape themselves with social media platforms. Their Facebook and Instagram accounts have shaped who they are. It is really crazy to think that before our generation this did not even exist. Our parents did not have cell phones growing up and we now depend on ours for everything. Whether we depend on it for directions, google, different apps, ect. We now check our social media pages in place of reading the daily newspaper. Do we even get the newspaper delivered anymore? The majority of people probably don’t even realize if they get a newspaper delivered to their homes.
Normally when thinking about the preparation of death, the average human being will think of their family and finances. How will their family be taken care of? Do they have a will? The NY Times has brought to our attention that their are other important aspects to now consider. Now, social media is thought of as well. ”What will happen to my social media page?” We as human beings have so much data and informations on ourselves invested in our social media pages that this is now being considered along with wills and finances.
Facebook has a feature for users where they can choose to delete all of one’s data, once Facebook is officially notified of their death. Google lets their users choose up to 10 people to be executors of one’s account for after their death. Since social media and having personal information online has become a large part of life, this may be something to consider. Also, to hand it over to someone you trust.
1. Does your social media account come to mind when thinking of death?
2. Do you think social media is as important as a will or an executor of a will?
You’ve posed two interesting questions in your blog. To answer your first question. Yes, i have thought of death and social media. A couple people i know have passed and are still on FB. The result of which they keep showing up on my feed sometimes, which is creepy. Every year, when its their birthday somebody unknowingly wishes them and asks them how they are.. and yes, i have designated a family member as my FB next of kin. The second question is harder to answer. In my opinion, i think its important because its the digital record of our time on earth but not as important as having an executor of your will.