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Hordes of children across the country are heading back to classrooms, and experts say social networking and smartphones are radically changing the whole back-to-school experience.

"It's almost like multimedia friendship," said Ester Cole, psychologist and former chair of the Psychology Foundation of Canada. "It means children have a magnified exposure to information."

Cole says social media has become an intrinsic part of schooling. Today's students have more avenues to explore than any other generation before them and in some ways they'll be better off, she says.

But there's also a negative side to the gadgets they're carrying and the networks they're building at a young age.

Children get bombarded by photos and images all summer, Cole says, which can become a point of conversation and help them make new friends come the start of a new school year.

"It's a way kids can get their timelines straight and help them feel connected," she said.

While some might be quick to denounce kids carrying smartphones and using social media, Nora Spinks, chief executive officer at the Vanier Institute of the Family, says there are some practical bonuses.

"It's an easier way to stay connected to your friends and avoid negative situations," Spinks said.

A few years ago, young girls might have called each other first thing in the morning to pick out a wardrobe for their first day back. Now, much of that can be done much more efficiently through text messages, Spinks says.

If there's a bully waiting on a street corner, kids can text each other to avoid that situation, too.

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How social media is changing the face of back to school