How to Manage Your Digital Legacy (Social Media, Email, Subscriptions)

How to Manage Your Digital Legacy (Social Media, Email, Subscriptions)

In today's digital age, we leave behind more than just physical possessions—we also accumulate vast amounts of online data. From social media accounts and emails to digital subscriptions and cloud storage, our digital footprint remains even after we are gone. That’s why it is essential to think about your digital legacy and how to manage it properly for your loved ones. In this article, we discuss the key steps to leaving behind your online accounts and data in an organized manner.

Map Out Your Digital Assets

Start by creating an inventory of all your online accounts and digital assets, including:

• Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc.)

• Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.)

• Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)

• Online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, etc.)

• Financial accounts (PayPal, online banking, crypto wallets)

• Websites or blogs you manage

This overview not only gives you insight into your digital life but also makes it easier for your loved ones to determine what should happen to these assets. In Momentio, you can document these digital assets in an organized way. We request your username but never your passwords.

Decide What Should Happen to Your Accounts

Many platforms offer options for managing accounts after death:

• Facebook and Instagram allow you to appoint a legacy contact to manage or delete your account.

• Google provides an ‘Inactive Account Manager’ that lets you decide what happens to your data after a period of inactivity.

• LinkedIn allows family members to request the removal of a deceased person’s profile.

Appoint a Digital Executor

A digital executor is someone you trust to manage your online legacy. This could be a family member, friend, or notary. Provide them with access to your digital assets and make arrangements for handling your data. You can do this by:

• Storing login credentials in a password manager

• Creating an official document with instructions

• Including your digital legacy in a notarized will

We encourage using a password manager and appointing someone who will have access to your passwords after your passing. Also, don’t forget to arrange access to your phone. Many phones are locked with facial recognition, which may no longer work after death.

Use a Password Manager

Een wachtwoordmanager, zoals LastPass of 1Password, helpt je om je inloggegevens veilig te bewaren en te delen met een vertrouwenspersoon. Sommige managers bieden de mogelijkheid om toegang over te dragen na overlijden.

Manage Your Online Subscriptions

Many subscriptions continue after death, causing unnecessary costs for loved ones. Make sure to:

• Stop or arrange to stop automatic payments

• Cancel subscriptions or authorize someone to do so

• Leave instructions for accounts that should remain active (e.g., shared cloud storage)

Momentio also allows you to list your subscriptions so that loved ones can manage or cancel them when necessary.

Officially Record Your Wishes

Your digital legacy can be part of your will or a separate statement. In it, you can specify how you want your online accounts and files to be handled. Consult a notary to officially record this so that your loved ones can execute your wishes without legal complications. In Momentio, you can designate a trusted person who will have access to your data and manage your digital legacy according to your wishes.

A Valuable Preparation

By properly managing your digital legacy, you prevent your loved ones from facing unnecessary difficulties. Create an inventory of your digital assets, decide what should happen to them, appoint a digital executor, and record your wishes. This ensures that your online presence is managed the way you want after your passing.

Want to learn more about securely managing your digital legacy? Momentio.nl helps you document memories and manage important information for your loved ones. Contact us today!