High school students in the French department of Haute-Savoie are reportedly finding ways to bypass special anti-wave pouches designed to block mobile phone signals, according to Le Parisien. These pouches, part of an initiative called "Portable en pause," were given to 44,000 students in both public and private middle schools starting in March 2026. The project, fully funded by the department with a budget of 750,000 euros, includes 50,000 pouches and about 600 unlocking bases. Each pouch costs 15 euros, as reported by the publication. The pouches, made by a company based in Nantes called Naotic, are designed to act like Faraday cages, which are structures that block electromagnetic fields. When a phone is inside the pouch, it cannot access Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or mobile networks. The pouches are meant to be secured with magnets and can only be opened at magnetized bases placed at school exits. However, students have reportedly discovered simple methods to bypass the system. One student described the process as "super simple," according to ici.fr, which reported that the department signed a contract for the initiative. The project was overseen by the departmental council and its president, Martial Saddier. The initiative aims to support a nationwide ban on cell phones in middle schools, a policy that has been in place since 2018. The goal is to reduce distractions and promote better focus on studies. However, the effectiveness of the pouches has been questioned, particularly after a video showed that the magnetic lock could be opened with a strong impact. This has raised concerns about the reliability of the technology before it was fully implemented. The use of the pouches has sparked debate among educators, parents, and officials. Some critics argue that the system should have been tested more thoroughly before signing the contract. Others question whether the technology is robust enough to prevent students from circumventing the restrictions. Despite the challenges, the initiative reflects a broader effort to manage the role of mobile technology in education, highlighting the ongoing tension between digital connectivity and classroom discipline.