Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google+. Do you? Should you? Our social media experts weigh in.

Our experts

Marketing instructor Raymond Bilodeau teaches Social Media Marketing in NAIT's JR Shaw School of Business. He tweets @RayBilodeau.

A radio journalist with iNews880 and 630 CHED, Brittney Le Blanc (Radio and Television '07) was one of Edmonton's top 25 most active tweeters last year. Find her on Twitter @britl.

Kathleen Versteegt, a principal at Papertree Creative, was among the top 10 most active Edmonton tweeters last year. This three-time NAIT grad (Graphic Communications '06, Computer Systems Technology '08, Digital Media Design '10) and current Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management student can be found on Twitter @guitarkat.

I don't care what you ate for breakfast. Why should I tweet?

@RayBilodeau: If all you're tweeting is what you're eating, then I'm likely not following you. However, if you are an expert in a field I'm interested in, then, likely, I will be following you to keep up on what's happening. For this same reason, I tweet to demonstrate my expertise, share links to my blog or interesting articles and maybe even just for fun.

@britl: It's not about what you ate, it's about who you are. Tweet to find out the latest news and to connect with your city and the people in it. I've made some great friendships and would say I am more in tune with the city since joining.

@guitarkat: There is more to Twitter than breakfast. There is lunch, dinner and dessert, too! Actually, most people don't do this often enough for it to become an issue. It's a common misconception. Twitter is a great source of information on local happenings [search #yeg on Twitter for Edmonton-related tweets], a way to connect with people who share similar interests and a forum for asking questions.

What's your top privacy protection tip for social media users?

@RayBilodeau: Social media is like being at a dinner party. (Note: I didn't say a house party with friends.) Review who is following you on Twitter and block the undesirable, and clean out your Facebook friends.

@britl: Use common sense. Everything you type is a reflection of you and stays on the Internet forever. Think before you post. Don't badmouth your friends, significant other, and certainly not your client, employer or potential employers - people can see what you do online.

@guitarkat: Don't post or check-in where you live (don't get more specific than neighbourhood, at most). When you're posting photos online, tweeting or even checking in on Foursquare [a location-based social networking site] be aware that the post may include your GPS coordinates or location.

What is Google+ and why should I care?

@RayBilodeau: Although I have been invited to Google's new social networking service, Google+, I have not found a use for it. This may go the way of Wave or Buzz [two Google social media flops]. Nonetheless, if it's from Google, it's worth watching.

@britl:To be honest, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out. So far, it seems like a tool more for the social media early adopter crowd than the average person. I'm going to hold out a little longer to make sure it's not another Buzz or Wave.

@guitarkat: Google+ is a way to filter who hears what you say. By placing people in "circles," you choose who sees your posts, unlike on Twitter and, until very recently, Facebook (I'm sure you've encountered the, "But my mom is on Facebook!" issue before).