Today, many records of our lives can only be found online. those records, however, can be lost if their creators choose to delete them. do we have an obligation to future generations to preserve our online records? if so, how do we balance the preservation of online content with our own right to privacy in the present? if you think we don’t have this obligation, why not?

You are very right with the online records, but once posted, shared, sent, etc... it can never be deleted properly as the permanent records won't be leaving you. This is called the electronic footprint. As for obligations, what do you want your future generations to perceive of you? Do you want to be perceived as the outgoing, and loud person or do you want to be remembered as reserved and quiet? If you feel the need to preserve online content posted, shared, sent, etc... choose what you send wisely. Why would you send something inappropriate, irrelevant, rude, or unnecessary, that ultimately your children, grandchildren, and future generations might see? Do you want your future to judged by your past, your present or both past and present?