A French father who attempted to restrict his children’s internet and cellphone use during late hours using a signal jammer now faces a substantial fine and potential imprisonment. The jammer he used was so powerful that it not only prevented his children’s access to the internet but also affected the residents in a nearby town.

The Agence Nationale Des Frequences (ANFR) received a report of internet and cellular service disruptions in Messanges, France, which happened regularly every weeknight from midnight to 3 AM. Upon investigation, the agency discovered that a signal jammer was causing the interference by blocking radio frequencies.

Further inquiries led the authorities to the father who used the signal jammer to restrict his children’s access to the internet and cellphones during late hours. Although his intentions were good, using the jammer was illegal and caused significant disruption to communication services in the surrounding area.

This incident highlights the illegality of using signal jammers and the unintended consequences they can have, even with good intentions. Finding alternative methods to restrict internet and cellphone usage, such as using parental controls or having open conversations about responsible technology use, is crucial.

The investigation by the Touluse Regional Service of the ANFR began in the dead of night, prompted by an inexplicable disturbance in the city. As they delved deeper, the agency discovered a telltale pattern on a graph, leaving no doubt that a wave jammer – an illegal device in France – was at work. The search for its source led them to a coastal home, where the father confessed to using the jammer to prevent his teenagers from accessing the internet on their phones and staying up at night.

According to the report by ANFR, the man’s children had developed an addiction to social media and other applications, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown. However, the use of a signal jammer device is prohibited in France, even though the father had no intention of disrupting the whole town’s internet connection. He may now face up to six months in prison and a fine of around $34,000 (30,000 Euros).

It should be noted that the use of signal jamming devices is also illegal in the United States. Therefore, anybody considering using such technology to restrict their children’s internet access should be aware of the potential legal consequences, which can include hefty fines and imprisonment. The case in France is still ongoing, and ANFR has handed over its findings to local authorities. While the father may no longer have his jamming device, it remains to be seen what the ultimate outcome of the investigation will be.