• Pyr@lemmy.ca
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    9 hours ago

    Don’t see why they can’t just have locked down WiFi networks so only staff and school equipment can use it and then have some sort of localized cell phone jamming that automatically turns off if a fire alarm or other alarm is triggered for emergencies.

    • Pika@sh.itjust.works
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      5 hours ago

      In the US this isn’t legal. Signal jammers are outlawed period, you can’t even use one in your own private residence. The FCC is super clear on it’s legality. Any form of signal jamming period that can disrupt a communications signal such as a cellphone or wifi signal on US soil is a felony. They have even gone as far as fining companies who sold devices that could potentially have been used to signal jam over the restriction. In the US the only time you can use any device that has the capability to block signals is by a federal agency on a case by case basis

      They actually have had (its been replaced with a much shorter excerpt that only mentions classrooms in a passerby) a FAQ about signal jammers where they explicitly mention it’s use in the school environment.

      I am a principal or school teacher and would like to use a jammer to limit cell
      phone calls and texting during school hours. May I do so?
      
      No. It is a violation of federal law to operate a jamming device within the U.S. Cell phone
      jammers do not distinguish between social or other cell phone conversations and an emergency call to a family member or a 9-1-1 emergency responder. In an emergency,
      use of a cell jammer can pose a threat to both students and staff by preventing
      communications with police or emergency services.
      In other words, jammers, even if carefully targeted, create risks of interference outside
      their intended zone of operations and can thereby disrupt critical communications by
      public safety providers, as well as the legitimate communications of passersby.
      
      • isleepinahammock@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        4 hours ago

        Yeah, this is a problem that needs to be addressed when the school is being built. It flabbergasts me that it already isn’t standard practice to construct classrooms and schools as big Faraday cages.

        That’s the real way to address that. You can still have a locked down wifi network for educational purposes. But you make it so the kid’s phones simply do not work inside the building at all.

        • Pika@sh.itjust.works
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          4 hours ago

          Ignoring whether or not that would be considered against the intent of the law as well, I personally think cost, zoning and safety requirements are going to be killer on any type of plan like that and is likely why no districts that I know of have attempted it.

    • deft@lemmy.wtf
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      8 hours ago

      I’d sorta think this is a good idea but I’m not really down for putting cellphone jammers or anything like that on school property. Freedom comes first.

      The solution is to fund schools better for better education programs and more staff who would be able to handle rule infractions better. Harder to use your phone in class when 3 staff members are around engaged with the kids.