Several U.S. states are considering legislation that would give personal representatives legal possession of Facebook profiles, Twitter accounts, and other online information after a death, reports BBC News (Living online after death faces Nebraska legal battle, 1-3-12 -- do watch the BBC video). “But privacy experts and lawyers Read More
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When you die, who owns your online legacy?
April 5, 2012
3 Comments
Comments
Apr 06, 2012 6:58 AM EDT
Very interesting information, Pat. When my 47-year-old nephew was killed in an accident last year, I wondered what would happen to his pretty active FB page. His wife didn't turn it into a memorial page, and I wonder now if she even knows she can do that. Several of my nephew's friends have continued to make posts, commenting on things they wish they could have shared with him. But the most touching thing to me are the comments from his 16-year-old son who uses the page to give voice to his grief and to tell his dad what's going on in his life. I think it's been a healthy, healing process for him that he wouldn't have had without his dad's online presence.
- Fran Morley
Apr 06, 2012 7:56 AM EDT
Oh my. I wonder how many young people (like your nephew's son) are using social media to grieve such losses.
- Pat McNees
Jul 07, 2012 11:20 AM EDT
I think being able to express how you feel helps a lot in the grieving process. I thought I'd share www.deathletters.org to the readers out there who are going through the same thing. The bereavement process is usually painful but being able to talk or write about it would surely make the process a bit faster and easier.
- Andi Smidth