Technology is reshaping college admissions. Course-management systems are making it possible to detect students in academic trouble before it gets too deep. And development offices are creating social networks that energize alumni giving. But not every high-tech strategy pays off for colleges.

Social networking communities are here to stay. Facebook has over 500 million users, while Twitter has over 200 million. That's not even counting blogs or YouTube video blogs. There's no doubt that students are actively engaged in online communities, but what kind of effects are these sites having and how can parents counteract the bad and bolster the positive?

"And as the teachers spell out, it is this obsession which has a direct impact on the future of our children - affecting their grades because they fail to complete their homework on time or to the standard required, and being unable to concentrate in class."