Ethical and Legal Issues on the Use of Cell Phone Jammers

The ever changing and dynamic technology world come has had great positive impacts on the contemporary society. However, one cannot ignore the significant adverse effects of technology on the various communal settings. One of the areas that continually face challenges in matters technology is the education world. The classroom environment has been invaded with a myriad of challenges as a result
of the technological advancement. This paper focuses on the use of mobile phones in the classroom and measures that can be taken to curb such tendencies. However, the most crucial aspect tackled in the paper includes the ethical considerations of some of the steps used in controlling such behaviors
The case in question posits a university professor who decides to install a mobile phone jammer to ensure that their use in the classroom is curbed. The issue of interest, however, regards the legality of using jammers and the ethical considerations that come along with such a move. The use of mobile devices in the schools not only interrupts the teaching sessions but also leads to a significant decrease in concentration. The desire to curb such a vice with respect to the learning environment is more than justifiable. However, the mode of mitigating such as the use of jammers comes at a cost (Quinn, 47).
Firstly, it is illegal for an individual to interfere knowingly with radio communications that have been authorized to operate (Quinn, 47). The illegality goes further to prohibit the sale and manufacture of devices that can be used in jamming or blocking wireless transmissions (Wyllie, 35). This, in essence, does make phone jamming, even in the classroom environment illegal. Researchers have proven that use of devices in class tamper with the attention and concentration of participants. The justification of the professor might be based on intent to ensure maximum concentration and, therefore, an efficient learning process. However, the mobile phone companies also have a right to the radio spectrum. By jamming a wireless transmission, the perpetrator can be charged with property theft.
The professor uses a cell phone jammer that blocks transmission within a 40 feet radius. This might have covered the entire class, but it may also have gone beyond the classroom and targeted individuals. Even if may be a limit to the number of devices that the lecturer would jam, any form of communication within the stipulated range of the jammer is also affected. By acting alone, the professor risks a myriad of; legal and ethical issues regarding the use of jammers (Wyllie, 33). However, if the college were to develop a policy that allows for the use of jammers within the classroom environments, then a considerable weight is lifted in terms of ethical concerns.
Conclusively, it is important to note that the intention of the professor is to minimize student distraction in the classroom. As a lecturer, he has the obligation to ensure that the classroom environment is conducive to learning for all the students. However, with interruptions from the cell phone users, it becomes a rather daunting task. The illegality of the use of cell phone jammers prohibits him from using them under any given circumstances. However, weighing the legal issues of using short range phone jammers in relation to the problem in the classroom environment, one is likely to opt to use such a measure.
Works Cited
Quinn, Michael Jay. Ethics for the information age. Pearson, 2014. Print.
Wyllie, David G. Law and consequences relating to cell phone usage while driving. ProQuest, 2007. Print.