Dealing with Dead Users on Social Networks

Millions of Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, WordPress and other social users die every year- but what happens to their social accounts? Unfortunately nothing happens. Most parents can hardly handle checking their own email accounts let alone managing a multi-level blog/forum account.

It’s a growing problem for social-networking sites and often more so for the eFriends and relatives left behind. Some social network site like LinkedIn have auto reminders to “reconnect” or to “confirm connection” that is sometimes sent from a deceased friend or relative’s account automatically.  Some social sites might auto-delete a dead persons account and this too can add have a negative effect on friends and relatives.

Last year Twitter announced that it had updated its policy so that relatives can choose to delete or archive the accounts with prof that the account holder has died and that the person contacting twitter is directly related.

Archiving or deleting a social account can prevent digital reminders that may cause pain to friends and family.

Twitter’s policy is a step in the good direction to managing the ‘online-undead’ but some believe it doesn’t go far enough and there is an increased attention on what the bereaved can or can’t do with online accounts of dead ones. For example, Twitter doesn’t allow relatives access to the deceased’s account or allow accounts to be transferred ones they have been notified of the death.

Some users have asked if its a good idea to allow online profiles to stay as a memorialized account.  From the standpoint of a paranormal investigator, yes this would be useful information. Facebook does offer a way for users to use the account as a memorial and friends can post messages or condolences on the wall. Psychiatrists have suggested that the ever growing attachment to online friends has grown so would such e-memorials and its an additional way to help in dealing with bereavement.

How to Manage a Dead Relatives Social Network

1. Gather copies of  death records, online death statements and related information that you may need to identify that your relative has passed away.

2. Contact, via email but do not send sensitive information yet, customer service for the social sites. Google may be a bit tricky as they don’t usually offer email customer service. Explain your situation professionally and indicate what you wish to accomplish.

3.  Provide necessary information ones it’s requested.

4. After you have access consider posting necessary information to inform users of the situation such as a copy of a memorial flyer ect. If you are instructed that the account will have to be deleted, politely insist on your behalf. As most social sites are free, threatening to sue my not work in  your favor.

If you feel this is not enough consider created a blog in memory of your relative and post their story and social network screen names so that you can others can control or research your loved one.

How to Manage your Social Network Portfolio incase of Death

1. Consider compiling a hard copy of your online profiles with links, screen names, passwords and what you would wish to happen to your social accounts incase.

2. Leave this hard copy with your will, an attorney or in care of a trusted family member. If you decide to include your bank login information, please take extra care in guarding against this information being lost or used without your permission.

Always update your information as emails changed, new social networks are constantly being created and your last-wishes may change. With that said, INPHO wonders if some day well have ghost who instead of saying ‘booo’ at night might whisper ‘update my statuuuuus.’  (We apologize if that was distasteful. )