Social networking and online courses

We are all very aware of the world of social networking and how integrated it is into our world today. Students of the current generation thrive and interact in these environments on a daily basis. There are many types of social networks available today, and in all likelihood, you are a part of one (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Google + [Google plus], etc.). Discuss whether or not you think these online social network environments are an appropriate tool to integrate into the online classroom. Are there benefits to using these social networks for course work and/or communication? What is your experience with social networking?