A lot of middle- and high-schoolers use instant messaging on Facebook to make sure they have the right assignments and to help each other figure out answers to questions. As long as they’re not cheating or taking advantage of a brainier kid’s work, then this type of collaboration may actually result in better understanding of the problems and the likelihood that they’ll turn in their work.

Tips to help kids use this feature for good, not evil

1. No cheating. The number-one rule of Facebook usage is if you wouldn’t say it -- or, in this case, do it -- in real life, then you shouldn’t do it on Facebook. Same goes for cheating.

2. Give as much as you get. Make sure that no one kid is being used for his or her seemingly endless supply of correct answers. You never know someone’s true motivations on Facebook, and if one kid seems to be doling out the answers to grateful recipients, your kid shouldn’t partake (the group will eventually be found out by teachers anyway).

3. Know school policy. Check with your child’s teachers or the school to make sure they approve of this type of collaboration. The practice is so common now that teachers may even encourage kids to work together to puzzle things out.

4. Impose time limits. Your family’s computer time limits still apply whether kids are doing homework or playing games. If the homework doesn’t all get done after say, an hour, it’s time for your kid to go it alone.

5. No bullying. Some kids engage in trash talk on Facebook, but instead of insisting that your kid block them, see whether he decides to do it on his own (one of the goals here is to teach your kid responsible Internet behavior). Sometimes, kids want to be “friends” with other kids on Facebook because they go to school together and it’s awkward to unfriend them. But your kid might block those unwanted friends anyway. And if they’re bullying or using hate speech, you definitely want them blocked.

6. Rein in the multitasking. There are several studies on the effects that multitasking has on kids. According to some research, it appears that while multitasking doesn’t erode the quality of kids’ work, it does extend the time it takes to do it. If your kids are staying up late because they’re doing homework, IMing, and checking Facebook, they may not be getting enough sleep. And studies show a direct correlation between the amount of sleep that kids get and their performance in school. Yet another reason to establish time limits!