The US Government has posted a blog on its website, advising people to write a social media will that sets out what they would like to happen to their online identity in the event of their death.

The post advises people to appoint an online executor, in a similar way to a traditional will. The executor will be responsible for handling the online identitiy in accordance with the wishes of the person who has died.

The US Government advises people to draw up a list for the executor of all the websites where they have an online presence, including usernames and passwords.

The social media will should give instructions on what the executor should do with online profiles and accounts after their owner's death. These could be cancelled completely, or set up as a memorial profile that people can view but not add to.