Eli5: Would Faraday Cages block Cell Signals well enough to utilize them in a classroom setting?

Question

I.e. ‘bricking the phone’ for the students benefit

In: Engineering

Answer 1

In theory, any space can be enclosed as a Faraday cage. You just need enough of a conducting material to block the EM waves.

In practice, though, you’d never do this because it would be expensive and time consuming, and would prevent various forms of nice, simple networking solutions. Can’t have a wireless network connection in the classroom if wireless signals can’t penetrate the walls. You *could* wire up physical connections, of course, but then if any further wireless needs arise, you’re kinda hosed.

It’s significantly easier and more practical (e.g. in terms of safety) to just forbid the use of cell phones in the classroom and monitor children. That way, if it really IS an emergency, kids can still find out, and parents don’t get mad about being denied the ability to contact their children when they want to.