I started the Ealing Tweetup three years ago as a meeting where a few local neighbours, who all used Twitter, got together to talk about their online experiences - it was initially no more than a single table of people chatting together.

My colleagues often ask why I use Twitter so often. There is a belief amongst those who do not really use it that everyone is just broadcasting the details of their breakfast, or which train they are waiting for. This is a misconception.

If a CEO has his position and company name featured on his Twitter profile and Monday to Friday the account features mainly corporate news and comment, then he gets drunk on a Saturday and starts tweeting sexist jokes it is almost impossible to imagine that the 'this is only my personal view' defence would stand.

I would like to draw your attention to something that I find really interesting about the London Olympic games - that it will be the first time there is a truly social online Olympic event, there is even an online hub connecting fans with athletes.

For as long as I can remember some people have suggested that the use of computers to communicate with others is anti-social and leads to the decline of in-person socialisation, like having a pint in the pub with friends.

You no longer need to ring a company to complain about their products or services, they will get in touch with you because you complained publicly on Facebook or Twitter. This is turning the entire customer service model on its head.