Stop Classroom Distractions with a Signal Blocking Pouch

Phones are everywhere, even in places where they shouldn’t be. A buzzing phone can pull a student’s attention away from learning. Even when tucked away, just knowing it’s nearby can make students restless, distracted, or anxious.

That’s why more schools are looking for better ways to manage devices during the school day.

Find out how a simple signal blocking solution and its refurbishment program can transform and benefit your classroom.

Why Schools Need a Better Way to Handle Phones

If you're a teacher, parent, or school administrator, you already know that phones are distracting kids in class. They beep, flash, and interrupt the flow of class.

In the U.S. alone, 72% of high school teachers say students being distracted by their cellphones in the classroom is a major problem.¹

It is no surprise that schools are trying different ways to keep phones out of their way. But not all methods work the way we hope they will.

Why Lock Boxes Are Not Good Enough

Many schools try to fix the issue by using lock boxes. Students drop their phones in a box when class starts and pick them up later. But here is the issue: phones still ring, vibrate, or make noise inside the boxes. That means the distraction does not really go away.

Even worse:

• Students can still hear notifications and get anxious wondering what the message is.
• Phones may still connect to Bluetooth devices like smartwatches, allowing for secret use.
• Emergency alerts or loud ringers can still interrupt the class.
• It is not secure. Some students worry about theft or damage while their phones are in a shared box.
• In case of a school emergency, parents want their kids to have fast access to their phones to call for help.

These reasons show that while lock boxes can help reduce distractions, they are not fully effective on their own.

What the Data Says About School Phone Policies

The U.S. government is taking action. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 76% of U.S. public schools banned non-academic phone use during the 2021–22 school year. That is down from 91% in 2010, which shows the rules are getting looser, just as phones are becoming more distracting.²

Now, states are stepping in. As of April 25, 2025, 21 states have passed laws or rules about phone use in K-12 public schools. Here is what some of them are doing:

• New York: Starting in the 2025–26 school year, all K–12 public and charter schools must ban student phone use during the school day. The state is giving schools $13 million to help make it happen.
• Oklahoma: Signed a law to ban student phone use for one year in 2025–26. After that, it is optional for districts.
• North Dakota: Requires schools to store all phones and smartwatches during the day and track how it affects mental health, attendance, and grades.
• Arizona: Schools must now write and share policies to limit phone use, with some exceptions.
• Minnesota: Schools must create a cellphone policy by March 15, 2025.

How Signal Blocking Pouches Keep Classrooms Quiet and Safe

One effective solution is using Faraday bags. These are special pouches that block all signals to and from a phone. When a phone is placed inside, it cannot receive calls, texts, or notifications, keeping the classroom quiet and focused.

Unlike traditional lock boxes, Faraday bags allow students to keep their phones nearby — just without the distractions.

Why Faraday Bags Work

• Stops the Ringing: Phones inside a Faraday bag will not ring, vibrate, or light up because they are cut off from all signals.
• Quick Access: Students can keep their phones with them and take them out to reconnect within seconds.
• Enhances Focus: No notifications means students can concentrate better on their lessons.
• Supports Safety: In emergencies, students can quickly access phones to contact parents or authorities.

Faraday Bags vs Locking Phone Bags

Let us talk about the difference between Faraday bags and locking phone bags because they are not the same thing, and it matters if you want real results in the classroom.

Feature	Locking Phone Bags	Faraday Bags
Signal Blocking	❌ Phones can still ring, vibrate, or light up	✅ Blocks all signals (calls, texts, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
Quick Access to Phones	❌ Students cannot access phones quickly	✅ Students keep phones with them and can reconnect in seconds
Setup Time	❌ Time-consuming. Staff must lock/unlock bags	✅ No locking or unlocking needed and it is easy to use
Emergency Situations	❌ Delayed access to phones during emergencies	✅ Students can pull phones out instantly if needed
Classroom Focus	❌ Phones may still distract (vibrations, lights)	✅ Completely silent and promotes better focus
Student Comfort	❌ Can feel like punishment	✅ Feels respectful and private, just quiets the phone
Teacher Burden	❌ Extra work for teachers/staff	✅ Teachers might check for hidden phones, but saves setup time

 

If you want students to actually focus, not just stash phones away where they can still be distracted, the Faraday bag is the better choice.

It solves the problem without creating new ones. Students feel safe, teachers don’t waste time unlocking bags, and distractions stop immediately. You get better attention, fewer interruptions, and a calmer classroom.

Go with the bag that blocks signals, not access.

Contact sales@godarkbags.com to for specialized school pricing or go to our Schools' Page to learn more. 

A Lower Long-Term Cost of Ownership with the School Refurbishment Program

The shielding fabric is the most important part of a Faraday bag. It's what blocks all the signals — calls, texts, Wi-Fi, and more.

Like GoDark Bags, which are known for combining durable materials with effective shielding fabric, these bags are built to protect devices in classrooms.

The outer layer of a GoDark Bag is built to last (thanks to strong materials and RF-welded seams), but the shielding fabric inside works hard every day and, like all fabrics, it can eventually wear down over time.

GoDark sets itself apart from other Faraday bags by using a soft felt inner liner that helps protect the shielding fabric, making the bag last much longer.

But we're going even further with the GoDark School Refurbishment Program. It is designed to refresh and restore your bags to top condition in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

Here is how it works:

• You send back your used GoDark bags in bulk (high volume orders only).
• The GoDark team carefully removes the top stitching and worn shielding fabric.
• A brand-new shielding layer is sewn in, right into your original bag.
• You receive a refreshed bag with renewed performance — at a discounted price.
• This helps schools save money, reduce waste, and keep bags working properly for years.
• If your school already has GoDark bags in rotation, this program is a smart next step.

If you want your classroom to be a place where students can focus and learn without interruptions, a signal blocking pouch is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective solution. By using these pouches for phones, you can create a calmer, safer space where everyone can do their best.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is a Signal Blocking Pouch?

A signal blocking pouch (also called a Faraday bag) is made with premium shielding fabric that blocks all wireless signals like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and cell signals completely. Just drop your phone inside, and it won’t ring, buzz, or track until you take it out.

Do Faraday Pouches Actually Work?

Yes! Faraday pouches, like GoDark, use proprietary RF shielding material that was independently tested by Keystone Compliance, a leader in electronics and materials testing. Their engineering report confirms that GoDark’s shielding blocks GPS, Wi-Fi, 4G/5G, Bluetooth, and EMF — meaning phones can’t ring, buzz, or connect to anything.

What Is the Phone Lock Pouch for Schools?

A phone lock pouch for schools is a bag that locks your phone so you can’t use it during class. But it does not block signals — your phone might still go off. That’s still a distraction, even if you can’t take it out. A Faraday bag is the smart choice because it doesn’t require locking or unlocking and completely blocks distractions.

Looking to Incorporate GoDark Into Your School?

We’re proud to support educational institutions with special pricing. Contact us at sales@godarkbags.com or go to our Schools' Page to learn more.

Sources

¹ Anderson, M., Gottfried, J., & Park, E. (2024, October 14). Most Americans back cellphone bans during class, but fewer support all-day restrictions. Pew Research Center. Read here

² Digest of Education Statistics. (2021). Ed.gov; National Center for Education Statistics. Read here

³ Kuznekoff, J., & Titsworth, S. (2013, July). The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Student Learning. ResearchGate. Read here