What is Digital Legacy and Why is it Important?

In our modern, connected world, almost everything we do leaves a digital footprint. From photos on social media to emails, online banking accounts, and even fitness tracker data, our lives are increasingly stored in digital form. This digital information is what we call a "digital legacy."

Digital legacy refers to the digital information that remains online after a person passes away. This includes various types of digital content and accounts, such as:

• Social media profiles
• Email accounts
• Digital photos and videos
• Online banking and financial accounts
• Subscription services (like Netflix or Spotify)
• Personal websites or blogs
• Online documents and files stored in the cloud

In this article, we will explore the concept of digital legacy, why it is important, and how you can manage it effectively.

What is Digital Legacy?

Digital legacy encompasses all the digital information, assets, and records that remain after a person dies. This includes not only personal and professional information but also digital artifacts that reflect a person’s life, such as:

• Social Media Accounts: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn store vast amounts of personal information, interactions, and memories.
• Email Accounts: These contain not only personal communications but also essential information related to subscriptions, online services, and sometimes even financial data.
• Digital Photos and Videos: Stored on platforms like Google Photos, iCloud, or personal hard drives, these capture important moments and memories.
• Online Banking and Financial Accounts: These include bank accounts, investment accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, and more.
• Subscription Services: Services such as Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime often contain billing information and personal preferences.
• Personal Websites or Blogs: These could be professional blogs, personal diaries, or websites showcasing a person’s work or hobbies.
• Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive store a variety of personal and professional documents.

Why is Digital Legacy Important?

Digital legacy is crucial for several reasons:

1. Emotional Value

Digital legacy often holds significant emotional value. Family photos, videos, and messages can be cherished memories for loved ones. They provide a way to remember and celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. For instance, social media accounts and digital photo albums can serve as memorials, helping families and friends to connect and share memories of their loved one.

2. Financial and Legal Affairs

Unresolved digital assets can lead to financial and legal complications. For instance, if online banking accounts or investment portfolios are not properly managed after someone's death, it can create difficulties for the heirs. Properly managed digital assets ensure that financial matters are resolved smoothly and in accordance with the deceased person’s wishes.

3. Personal Information Security

Inactive digital accounts can become targets for hackers. Ensuring these accounts are managed properly helps protect personal information from being misused. This includes preventing identity theft and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

4. Digital Presence Management

Without proper management, a deceased person's digital presence can persist indefinitely. This can lead to outdated or inaccurate information remaining online, which might affect the way they are remembered. Managing digital presence ensures that the deceased’s online identity is handled respectfully and according to their wishes.

5. Continuation of Professional Legacy

For individuals who have professional profiles, websites, or blogs, managing digital legacy is important for maintaining their professional reputation and ensuring that their work is preserved and accessible.

How to Manage Your Digital Legacy

Managing your digital legacy involves several steps. Here are some key actions you can take:

1. Create a Digital Inventory

Make a list of all your digital assets, including login information and passwords. This could be for your social media accounts, email, cloud storage, financial accounts, and more. Organizing this information ensures that your loved ones can easily access and manage your digital assets.

2. Assign a Digital Executor

A digital executor is someone you trust to manage your digital assets after your death. This person will be responsible for carrying out your wishes regarding your digital legacy. It’s important to discuss your wishes with your digital executor and ensure they have the necessary information to manage your digital legacy effectively.

3. Use Online Tools and Services

There are various online services that help manage digital legacies. For example, Google’s Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your account if it becomes inactive for a certain period. Similarly, Facebook allows you to designate a legacy contact who can manage your account after your death.

4. Include Digital Assets in Your Will

Ensure your will includes instructions for your digital assets. This makes it clear how you want your digital legacy to be handled. Consulting with a legal professional who understands digital estate planning can help ensure your digital assets are properly included in your will.

5. Regularly Update Your Digital Inventory

As you create new accounts or change passwords, update your digital inventory. Regular updates ensure that all your digital assets are accounted for and that your digital executor has the most current information.

Digital Legacy in Canada

In Canada, the management of digital legacies is becoming increasingly recognized. Canadian laws are evolving to address the complexities associated with digital assets. It's important to stay informed about these legal aspects to ensure your digital legacy is handled according to your wishes.

Legal Framework

Canadian law is starting to address digital legacies, but it’s still an emerging area. Key considerations include:

• Privacy Laws: Canadian privacy laws protect personal information, which impacts how digital assets can be accessed and managed after death.
• Estate Laws: These laws are evolving to include digital assets, ensuring they are treated similarly to physical assets in terms of inheritance and management.

Services and Tools

Several services and tools are available to help Canadians manage their digital legacy, including:

• Digital Estate Planning Services: These services specialize in helping individuals manage and plan their digital legacy.
• Legal Consultation: Consulting with a lawyer who specializes in estate planning can help ensure your digital assets are properly included in your estate plan.

Tables: Managing Digital Legacy

Here are some tables that break down the steps and considerations for managing your digital legacy.

Table 1: Common Digital Assets

Table 2: Steps to Manage Digital Legacy

Table 3: Online Tools for Managing Digital Legacy

Case Studies: Managing Digital Legacy

To illustrate the importance and practical aspects of managing a digital legacy, let’s look at a few case studies.

Case Study 1: John’s Social Media Presence

John, a 35-year-old software engineer, was very active on social media. He had profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. When John tragically passed away, his family was unsure how to handle his digital legacy. Fortunately, John had used Facebook’s legacy contact feature, allowing his sister to manage his account. She converted his profile into a memorial page where friends and family could share memories and post tributes. John’s Instagram and LinkedIn accounts were also deactivated following his instructions.

Case Study 2: Emma’s Financial Accounts

Emma was a successful entrepreneur with several online banking and investment accounts. She had created a digital inventory and included detailed instructions in her will about managing these assets. After her death, her executor was able to access her accounts, ensuring that her financial affairs were settled efficiently. This prevented any potential legal disputes and ensured that Emma’s assets were distributed according to her wishes.

Case Study 3: Sarah’s Digital Photos

Sarah, an avid photographer, stored thousands of photos on Google Drive and iCloud. She valued these memories and wanted to ensure her family could access them after her death. Sarah shared her login information with her husband and included specific instructions in her will about preserving and sharing her digital photo library. As a result, her family was able to keep and cherish her photos, which held immense emotional value.

Digital Legacy Planning Checklist

Here is a comprehensive checklist to help you manage your digital legacy:

1. Create a Digital Inventory:
   • List all digital assets (social media accounts, email, financial accounts, cloud storage, subscription services, personal websites).
   • Include login information and passwords.
2. Assign a Digital Executor:
   • Choose a trusted person to manage your digital assets.
   • Discuss your wishes with your digital executor.
3. Use Online Tools and Services:
   • Utilize services like Google’s Inactive Account Manager and Facebook’s legacy contact feature.
   • Explore digital estate planning services.
4. Include Digital Assets in Your Will:
   • Consult with a legal professional to include instructions for your digital assets in your will.
5. Regularly Update Your Digital Inventory:
   • Keep your digital asset list updated with new accounts and changes.
6. Inform Loved Ones:
   • Ensure your loved ones know about your digital legacy plans and where to find your digital inventory.
7. Backup Important Data:
   • Regularly back up important digital files and photos to ensure they are preserved.

Conclusion

Digital legacy is an essential aspect of modern life. By taking steps to manage your digital assets, you can ensure that your personal information is secure, your financial and legal affairs are in order, and your loved ones have access to cherished memories. In Canada, as in many other places, the importance of digital legacy is growing, and understanding how to manage it is crucial for everyone.

By understanding and managing your digital legacy, you ensure that your online presence is handled in a way that reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in the digital age. Ensuring your digital legacy is properly managed is not just about preserving your digital footprint; it’s about safeguarding your personal history and providing peace of mind for those you leave behind.