Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY – Your digital footprint needs to be decluttered – just as much as closets full of clothes or boxes loaded with stuff you no longer use. Our friends at AARP say a good place to begin is with your phone. A study from Older Adults Technology Services shows more than 60% of people either don't know how or haven't made digital housecleaning a priority. Alan Ormsby with AARP says the first step is simple: check your phone's privacy settings. "Apps want as much information as they can possibly get from you, and you may not want to share, say your location, or you know anything else with all those different apps," Ormsby said. Second, use a password manager on all your devices to keep accounts secure. It can prevent thieves from wreaking havoc on your life. The third step is to check your social media settings to protect your personal information. Another important task is to designate a trusted loved one to manage your digital accounts after you die. "So, in case you pass away, your digital life online isn't just completely evaporated," Ormsby said. And finally, scan and digitize important documents, such as your will and property deeds. Then put them in a safe, secure digital vault. Ormsby says making this a part of your yearly routine can give you peace of mind. "Your digital life is now such an important part of who we are," said Ormsby. "You're exposing yourself to additional fraud, and that's one of the things that we care a lot about at AARP. We don't want anybody being defrauded." It can feel overwhelming if you're not tech-savvy. Start by talking with someone you trust who can walk you through these steps, or check with AARP for resources.
