How can teens manage Facebook, homework and everything else?

A Walnut Creek friend recently told me about her very high-achieving daughter. This girl is a senior at one of our local high schools, and she's busting her butt to maintain a 4.5 grade-point average and to keep up with the kinds of extracurricular activities (swim team, drama, tutoring kids at risk) that supposedly show prospective colleges that she's well-rounded.

But here's the thing. She's had to sacrifice her social life. She mostly keeps up with friends on Facebook. She skipped her homecoming dance to fill out college applications. According to my friend, this is the way of life for certain high-achieving kids these days.

Other parents might have to kid who is using Facebook to avoid doing homework--or to avoid actually interacting with people in person. You also have kids using social media in very unhealthy and harmful ways--hurting both themselves and other people. Middle and high schools are having to deal with students bullying others via Facebook, texting, and other social media.

With this whole new universe of technology available to kids, what should parents know?

Find out at a panel discussion this Saturday, "Helping teens learn in an era of digital overload."

This panel discussion, at the Orinda Academy from 10 a.m. to noon, will feature experts on teens and technology, such as Facebook, TV, Twitter, etc.

Panelists will include Beth Samuelson, director of Student Organization Services, which offers academic coaching and customized study strategies and techniques; Jason Brand, specializes in positive adolescent technology relationships; Rona Renner, parent educator and Childhood Matters radio talk show host; Paul Lipson, former Orinda Academy music teacher, technology teacher, and video game designer who is currently president of the Game Audio Network Guild and the COO and Composer at Pyramind, Inc.; and Orinda Academy student, Dylan Kimsey-Hutchinson, a digital music composer, Facebook and video game enthusiast and valedictorian for OA class of 2010 who will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in Fall 2010.

Topics covered will include:

--Can students successfully multi-task with school work and electronics? Find out what the research shows,
--Facebook or homework? Tips and strategies for parents to help teens manage school and media.
--What are the ways to cut through the media clutter and chatter to help teens improve study and learning skills?

Orinda Academy, a private, college prep school, is located at 19 Altarinda Rd., Orinda. The fee is $10 per person. Because seating is limited, you should reserve in advance by going to http://www.sos4students.com/