Deceased Social Media Accounts: Ethical Considerations and Verification Concerns

The question of whether social media accounts of deceased individuals should be deleted is a topic that has garnered significant attention. This piece explores the ethical considerations surrounding these accounts, particularly in the context of social media platforms such as Instagram. Furthermore, it examines the verification process of these accounts and the potential misleading implications for users.

Ethical Implications of Deceased Social Media Accounts

The existence of deceased individuals' social media accounts presents several ethical dilemmas. One of the primary concerns is the potential for individuals to exploit these accounts for their own benefit. For instance, an aspiring music producer with limited fame might leverage the online persona of a deceased artist known for controversial content like suicide-related topics. Such actions not only trivialize the memory of the deceased but also manipulate the online community's emotions.

Verification Processes and Their Limitations

Deceased individuals cannot act as verifiers for their own social media accounts, which raises the question of how their accounts are verified. Verification on platforms like Instagram is typically a process that involves the authentication of the individual's identity through email, phone, or other means. However, in the case of deceased individuals, someone else must undertake this process and claim the account on their behalf.

The Lil Peep and Kurt Cobain Examples

The profiles of deceased artists, such as Lil Peep and Kurt Cobain, provide examples of how verification can be misleading. Lil Peep's verified account often appears to still be active, which can be confusing for users. Similarly, Kurt Cobain's account, although verified, lacks any recent activity, yet still carries his iconic name and image.

Misleading Implications for Users

These accounts can send a disturbing message to younger users, who might see these verified profiles as active entities. For instance, teenagers following these profiles might mistakenly believe that they are interacting with the artist themselves, leading to a sense of being followed by a ghost or an impersonator. This can create an uncomfortable and even eerie feeling, particularly when these profiles lack any updates or engage with users indirectly.

The Impact on the Online Community

The issue extends beyond the ethical implications for the individual accounts. The broader impact on the online community is significant. Verified accounts of deceased individuals can skew the platform's recommendations and trends, leading to the perpetuation of outdated or irrelevant content. This can affect the overall user experience and the authenticity of the platform.

Request for Clarification from Instagram

The author of the article has reached out to Instagram for clarification on the verification process for deceased individuals. While the platform's current guidelines do not provide a clear solution for this issue, such a clarification would be beneficial for both users and content creators. Instagram should consider developing a framework that addresses these ethical concerns and ensures that users are not misled.

Conclusion

The existence and verification of deceased social media accounts raise significant ethical and practical concerns. These accounts can be exploited for selfish purposes and send misleading messages to users. Platforms like Instagram need to develop a clear and transparent process for handling such accounts to ensure user safety and trust. It is crucial to find a balance between respecting the memory of deceased individuals and preserving the integrity of the online community.

Keywords

deceased social media accounts social media verification ethical implications

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