By now, almost everyone in the Netherlands has a life online in addition to their “ordinary life.” Some quite literally, because they work online for example, others at most because they have a Facebook account. But regardless of whether you can be found on the Internet much or little, we all leave a trace there. But what happens to our digital traces, our legacy online, when we are no longer around? Are there videos of you online? Does Facebook keep notifying your online friends that it's your birthday? Does LinkedIn say you've been employed somewhere for so many years? This can be very inconvenient for your loved ones, or very nice. Either way, this is something to discuss together.
After all, you have some say in what you bequeath on the Internet. But then you have to arrange it, just like your normal or offline legacy. Media coaches from library Theek5 Help you out with five tips!
Tip 1: Know where you all leave marks
It seems very obvious, yet this is the best tip to start with. Do you actually know where you all have an online presence? For example, did you once have a Twitter account that you haven't used in years? If you haven't deliberately taken that offline, chances are that your data in this account is still roaming the Internet somewhere. After all, accounts are by no means always taken offline after so much time if you no longer use them.
So the best first step is to see where you all have accounts. And not just social media, but stores, businesses, the library, outreach, services, insurance, etc. Really map out everything and keep the list current.
Tip 2: Determine what you do and do not want
For each account, think about what you want to happen to it when you're gone. Your Google account and/or Apple ID deserve special attention. For these you can set up what should happen to them in case of death. For your Apple ID you can create a kind of digital key that you give to people you trust, the so-called Inheritance Contact. For Google, you can control things with Inactivity Preferences. Decide what you want to happen to your data when you can no longer decide for yourself and who should do that.
Tip 3: Consider what is really yours
Not everything you have online is really yours. Many accounts give a person access to services. But what you do with that account is not automatically your property. For example, you can buy e-books and put them on your e-reader, but those e-books are not automatically your property. You have a license to use that ebook, so to speak. That license, in most cases, is not transferable. So then no one can inherit those e-books from you. But if you have digital money, for example crypto, or digital art (NFT), then that is your possession and inheritable. The rules around digital property change quite often, so it is always a good idea to find out about your online assets.
Tip 4: Arrange access to your equipment for next of kin
In addition to your passwords and any digital assets, you also need to make sure next of kin can get into the devices when you can no longer do so. Although many devices work with facial recognition or fingerprints, there always remains the option of logging in otherwise. For example, with a code, a pattern you have to draw or a numerical code. Share these with your loved ones as well. Map all devices, indicate where the devices can be found and how to get into them. Consider laptops, tablets, phones, SD cards, USB sticks, external hard drives, etc.
Tip 5: Don't cancel a phone subscription right away
For many accounts, the cell phone is used as an additional security step when logging in. For example, for e-mail. It is therefore very inconvenient when next of kin cancel a deceased person's phone subscription as soon as possible. If you still want to be able to log in to accounts that use SMS verification, you have a problem. Therefore, let the subscription run well and cancel only when you are sure you have had all the important accounts.
Want to get practical?
Participate in the free course What do you leave behind on the internet of Library Theek 5. This fall it will be given at:
Thursday, Dec. 11 and 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Pannehoef (is already full, but you can register on the waiting list at Theek 5 by emailing i.vansoest@theek5.nl)
Friday, December 12 and 19 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at CC de Boodschap in Rijen (register here: https://theek5.op-shop.nl/923/cursus-wat-laat-je-na-op-internet-rijen-2025)
PS: In addition, to learn more about digital legacy, look on the Internet. Many funeral insurance companies pay attention to this topic on their websites. You can also find a lot of independent information on this topic on the Consumer Association's site, as well as on the Seniorweb website.
