Cell Phone Jammers: Student Opinions and Legality of Blocking Service

By Hannah Bennet-Swanson

 At R.A. Long, the use of cell phones for texting has been on the rise. Many teachers believe that the phones are a perfect prop in the setting of cheating on tests and distracting others. “Cell phone jammers” are believed to be the solution to this problem.

“They are appropriate for use when students are interrupting the class with texts and calls,” Mr. Gross, the forestry and natural resources teacher said. “You can always be reached through the office in case of an emergency.”

However, students at RAL have a very different opinion about the jammers.

“I think it’s stupid that teachers feel the need to install them,” Skylar Clark 12 said. “Students should have enough self control to be away from their phone for a whole class period.”

Cell phone jammers work by creating a “dead zone.”  The jammer transmits on the same radio frequencies as a cell phone, disrupting the communication between the phone and the cell phone tower.

Cell phone jammers are mainly intended for military and government use and, in the United States, they are illegal for civilians to both own, sell, and purchase.

“Sure, cell phone use can be a distraction in class rooms, but jamming the signal is deemed illegal due to the Constitution of Communications of 1943,” Bill Davenport 11 said. “Jamming a cell phone signal is in terms stealing broadcasting property purchased by a private company.”

The Federal Communications Commission outlawed jammers because they can interfere with emergency communication, aid in criminal activity and disrupt medical equipment, like pacemakers.

“I believe cell phone blockers take away our rights,” Chelsea Trefren 12 said. “If there were an emergency, we wouldn’t be able to be contacted or contact someone.”

The FCC has not yet prosecuted anyone for cell-phone jamming but fines for a first offense can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year. The device used may also be seized and forfeited to the government.

According to an anonymous RAL student, “It is the teacher’s classroom and school is for learning, not texting. But jammers make class even more boring!”