Scientists have yet to define the condition, but anyone younger than age 25 will argue that cell phone separation anxiety is very real.

Tell that to the school board.

It's only common sense that, despite the growing number of teens sprouting white earphone cables from the sides of their heads, the existence of cell phones, iPods and the rest of the small electronics universe are not a great idea in a school setting.

There's a great sight gag that seems almost quaint in the 1995 movie, "Clueless." Characters Cher and her best friend Dionne are having a cell phone discussion as each strolls through their Beverly Hills, Calif., High School. They meet in a main hallway and continue the conversation on their phones, as they walk side by side.

Nowadays, they'd have texted.

And then they'd have had their phones confiscated.

"I think it's an issue across the nation," said Baldwin High School Principal Todd Keruskin.

"Any kind of electronic device they have on them has to be turned off. If it becomes visible during the school day, it's taken from them."

At first offense, the electronic device is taken from the student until the end of the day. At second offense, a parent or guardian has to come to the school to pick it up.

This appears to be a common policy among South Hills area high schools. At Bethel Park, "you can have them, you just can't have them on," said district spokeswoman Vicki Flotta.

"To tell a kid you can't have a cell phone in this day and age is almost ridiculous, but what we're asking is that they don't have them on, mostly [because of] text messaging."

South Park Principal Patricia Smith said that her district's policy takes it a step further. A second-time offense results in the phone being impounded until the last day of school.

"I'll bet we had maybe two or three last year. That's a pretty low number," Dr. Smith said.

South Park practices crisis drills on occasion, and keeping cell phones off during such events is critical, she said.

"We're stressing that under safety initiatives here, that while cell phones are a convenience, we ask that parents don't call your child in school.

"And cell phones can be a homing device, so if there were, God forbid, a terrorist situation, we want the phones off.

"But I'll be the first one to tell you because I have kids, and they have cell phones, that it isn't easy."

Steel Valley students have a more strict policy.

"They [electronics] are not permitted, none whatsoever, in the building," said principal Leo Schlanger.

"No cell phones, no iPods, no Walkmans, anything."

Steel Valley has taken the unusual step of installing courtesy phones in its high school lobby. The phones are activated at 2:35 p.m. each day when classes end, and remain turned on until the start of school at 7:45 the next morning.

Since the gym and auditorium are just off the high school lobby, the phones are easily accessed during after-school sports and activities.

Anyone who tries to sneak in a phone or mp3 player faces the scrutiny of the metal detectors.

"I know the kids carry them, and it's the 21st century here, but this is still a school," Mr. Schlanger said.

At West Mifflin Area High School, it seems "like the entire student body, everybody has them," Principal Mark Hoover said.

West Mifflin uses a progression system of punishment similar to the other schools cited. Although it has metal detectors in the high school, Dr. Hoover said cell phones and small electronics slip by all the time.

Another problem schools must deal with is theft. Fifteen years ago, few students had phones and iPods didn't exist. The evolution of gadgets has resulted in smaller products, bigger price tags.

Cell phones can run a couple hundred bucks, and mp3 players up to $500.

"We encourage students to lock things up in their lockers, and they are encouraged to bring their own personal locks to gym class," said Principal Ron Davis, of Mt. Lebanon High School, where repeat gadget offenses eventually lead to detention.

"Any time you have electronic devices in school, there could be an increase in theft," Mr. Keruskin said.

Dr. Hoover said he understands the appeal of texting friends or calling home for rides, but rules are rules.

"The bigger problem is, they do take videos. We've had kids take pictures of something going on at school and they post them on YouTube."

Most cell phones have built-in cameras.

"Not that you're trying to kid anyone that things don't happen, you just don't want that stuff out there on the Internet."

Most school officials won't allow cell phones in areas where students are taking standardized tests, for fear of anyone making copies.

"It's a new world," said Dr. Smith, "and we're just trying to keep up with it."