The teacher who intentionally disrupted phone signals in his classroom deserves our praise, as it is only in this specific place that such measures are needed.

The news regarding teacher Dean Liptak, who also has a background in professional wrestling, receiving criticism for blocking cell phone signals in his classroom at Fivay High School, was an unfortunate and misguided reaction from both the administrators and, to be honest, the government.

Undeniably, what he did was a clear infringement of the law. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the deliberate use of 'cell jammers' or similar devices designed to intentionally block, disrupt, or interfere with authorized radio communications (such as signal blockers, GPS jammers
, or text stoppers) is considered a violation of federal regulations. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the sale of jammers within the United States is illegal, although they can still be easily purchased from overseas vendors, as long as the retailer avoids detection. It is important to emphasize that only government employees are legally authorized to acquire such equipment.

Liptak's punishment seems lenient, as he only received a five-day suspension without pay. In contrast, a Florida man who had a jammer in his car for several months was fined a staggering $48,000. It is worth noting that there have been instances where a priest resorted to using a jammer during sermons and even a funeral, allegedly with permission from the police.

Granted, the driver, the priest, and the teacher may have demonstrated questionable judgment by resorting to the use of jammers, which resulted in unintended disruptions beyond their intended areas. Nevertheless, their intentions were pure, and it can be argued that Liptak had the most justifiable motive of all: to compel the mischievous youngsters we affectionately refer to as our future to finally pay attention.

In the ancient times, classroom distractions were restricted to things like catching a glimpse of something outside the window (SQUIRREL!), exchanging folded notes, or maybe sneaking in a comic book. However, in the contemporary era, a student can engage in all of those activities and a thousand others on a single screen. How can a teacher, irrespective of their competence, successfully rival the appeal of YouTube, Snapchat, Trivia Crack, or even PornHub? Merely placing a filter on the local school Wi-Fi network carries no weight for a student who has access to unlimited data from their parents' family plan.

Rather than criticizing Liptak, society should focus on empowering teachers who require assistance. The FCC and Congress should create exceptions to the Communications Act of 1934, which forms the basis for numerous limitations on cell jammers. Businesses should be allowed to explore innovative methods of producing easily controlled jamming device.

It is evident that there are several instances where it would be wise to employ jammers with limited and finely-tuned range in a judicious manner.

Theaters

I've been on the wrong end of a couple of cell phone calls at movie theaters in the last few years. Namely, in the middle of a movie, people's phones not only went off, but the idiot in question answered, then proceeded to have a conversation, at normal volume, as if that's perfectly okay, and not grounds for justifiable homicide. (At one of those films—the execrable Land of the Lost, so perhaps I should have been grateful for the distraction—I actually stood up and said to the offender, "Are you kidding me?" I like to think the rest of the audience applauded, but I couldn't hear anything over the hate-blood pounding in my ears.)

Concert-goers, aficionados of Broadway shows, film buffs, and many others would not have to worry about such rudeness if theaters employed jammers that activated the moment the lights dimmed. Of course, there will always be emergencies, doctors on call, or parents who need to be reachable by the babysitter, and so forth. However, these individuals should seek alternative ways to spend their evening.

Restaurants

The sign needs to state: No shorts, No shoes, No phone usage, No service. Patrons who cannot be bothered to order from a server because they are on a call should be compelled to pay a 35 percent tip imposed on their bill. Moreover, the bistro's signal jammer should disconnect these alleged customers—if their call is truly so crucial, they can step outside.

The Workplace

The importance of email and the Internet in the majority of office environments is unquestionable. However, the necessity of cell phones in the workplace is a matter of contention. A survey conducted by Pew Research reveals that only 24 percent of employed adults consider a cell or smartphone as "very important" for completing their work responsibilities. Additionally, research suggests that 50 percent of employers view cell phones as having a negative impact on overall workplace productivity.

It is essential to acknowledge that there are numerous places where the use of a cell phone can be extremely dangerous. However, it is probable that cell phones are frequently smuggled onto warehouse or assembly line floors without detection. If employers were able to jam signals while still allowing emergency calls, it would result in no harm or foul play.

At Home

Even if parents make use of parental control and monitoring software, it becomes an uphill battle to prompt a child (or even the spouse or grandparents) to participate in conversation during family dinner once they are granted the freedom of a smartphone with a data plan.

Just like how parents have the capability and authority to disable the Wi-Fi connection at home, they should also have the choice to disable the cellular signal if they wish to do so. Attempting to take phones from individuals' hands and putting them in airplane mode is unlikely to be effective, and transforming the entire house into a Faraday cage is an extreme measure that should only be considered by those who are overly paranoid. However, having an in-home cell jammer should be a viable option whenever it is desired or necessary. (Remember to keep that landline, everyone.)

The scenarios presented here are all based on the assumption that there are other communication options during emergencies, or that individuals have sufficient mobility to escape the interference caused by signal jammers. However, currently, even individuals with the most honorable intentions cannot make use of the limited technology available without causing disruptions that extend well beyond the confines of their classrooms, theaters, offices, or homes. If you suspect the presence of an illegal signal jammer in your vicinity, please visit the FCC online complaint portal or contact 1-888-CALL-FCC (or 1-888-225-5322).

Before proceeding, it is imperative to reflect upon whether you have truly suffered any harm, or if maybe, just maybe, that hour without cell signal turned out to be the most gratifying hour of your day. Furthermore, if your signal is jammed, it is highly improbable that you will be able to make the call.