Kicking offending users via MACs?

[kent.smith]

We have a few youth that are not properly using Liahona network and disrupting classes. Is there a way to temporarily block their device via MAC address?
What is the enforcement when they refuse to follow the Liahona Splash?

[Cmanrogers]

You could turn off Liahona and use Lehi instead. I'm not sure if you can block certain Mac addresses but many modern devices can randomize them, so one could get around it. And this doesn't exclude the possibility that they have a mobile network on their phone and can just use that.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Church headquarters enforce people abusing Liahona?

[BrianEdwards]

What is the enforcement when they refuse to follow the Liahona Splash?

I shudder to think what our youth teachers would have had to put up with, if cellphones and social media were a thing when I was young! We gave them enough trouble as it was.

Point being, there will always be some youth that even if you completely removed tech, may still find new ways to be disruptive (we often were instructed to move to different parts of the classroom ). Hopefully the teachers know they have parents and youth leaders for support, and hopefully the parents and youth leaders are aware of this issue (since the youth involved possibly also exhibit this behavior in other settings). For ongoing issues like you describe, I'd offload any "enforcement" from the teacher and onto parents/leaders.

[kent.smith]

Thanks for the feedback.
Unfortunately blocking Liahona also means blocking of streaming service and rich media content for lessons.
Yep, I believe we are at the cusp of more disruptions, but I believe we can tackle it with a temporary MAC deactivation.
I have opened a ticket to see if we can get a new Group Policy on CNM to allow temporary blocking based on MAC. Just like we have a Group Policy for NoSplash and IOT. If I can keep them off of the church WiFi of streamed devices of TVs and printers, the Meraki firewall will handle the rest.

[russellhltn]

As Cmanrogers points out, that just ups the game and doesn't solve the problem.

What exactly his happening? The answer might involve putting the TV on a wired connection, or putting the teacher and TV on a "private" connection. But I'm just guessing as to the problem.

Then of course, there's always the "mass punishment" route. If the rich media keeps getting disrupted, then there's no rich media for the week. You'll have to listen to the teacher - and there will be a test.

[davesudweeks]

I'm assuming the parents have been contacted and are doing nothing. When I had youth, it was before cell phones for the masses were a thing, so my children or youth got to go to EQ or HP meeting with me if they "needed a babysitter" in class to act appropriately. They quickly learned that it was more fun to reasonably behave and go to their normal class. My daughter has had to put some of her children's phones in lockup when they don't behave properly with them (they can always check out paper scriptures from the library or bring ones from home to participate).

YMMV, but I see this as a problem for the parents to address first, if they will. I have been known to escort disruptive youth to their parents in Sunday School if they are destroying the spirit for the rest of their class. They are smart and will get the message quickly if we are kind but firm that some behavior will not be tolerated.

[kent.smith]

Ok, you sold me:
I will share just a bit more about the issue. I agree with the parent and babysitting route first, unfortunately this has not been successful, because even sitting in EQ or the bathroom, their child continues to enjoy their electronic device as it pacifies the child.

Issues:
The instructor wirelessly streaming content to a TV, while any user on Liahona, anywhere in the building tries to take over the streaming screen. it does not matter if the TV is wired or wireless. The network wide open.
Airprint or IP print garbage to any of the printers in the building.
Loudly streaming a football game or memes during a class.
I believe the individual is just wanting the attention, positive or negative.

So from Tech side, this is a balance of convenience versus security. Today there is zero security or segmentation options for the network. My thought is to chop off the the offending issue, while allowing the remainder to continue enjoying rich content, sharing, and convenience.

Agree too, mass punishments becomes the bragging point for the individual creating the disruption as well as further embarrassment for the parent. Instead, temporarily cutting the internet connection to just that 1 individual becomes a natural consequence of violating Liahona splash. Why have a splash if there is no enforcement?

Positive ideas based on the 3 points above are very welcome! Please think within the aspect of maintaining richness for all, while kicking out the offender.

[russellhltn]

While I'm not keen on the wide-open network for printing or streaming, I think you're trying to use technology as a crutch for a behavioral problems. Fixing the technology isn't likely to fix the underlying problem and it will manifest itself in another way.

General Handbook 38.1.1

If there is inappropriate behavior, the bishop or stake president gives private counsel in a spirit of love. He encourages those whose behavior is improper for the occasion to focus on helping maintain a sacred space for everyone present with a special emphasis on worshipping Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Church meetinghouses remain private property subject to Church policies. Persons unwilling to follow these guidelines will be asked in a respectful way not to attend Church meetings and events.

I'd say this is something for the bishop to handle, perhaps with help from Family Services.

But if you insist on going the technology route, you'll need to call support. There isn't much in the way of tools at the ward/stake level. (Although support may ask why you have networked printers. That's not a requirement.)

[lajackson]

I agree with the parent and babysitting route first, unfortunately this has not been successful, because even sitting in EQ or the bathroom, their child continues to enjoy their electronic device as it pacifies the child.
. . .
I believe the individual is just wanting the attention, positive or negative.

A bishop can discuss the situation with the Global Services Department and, with adequate justification (and this may be enough), the GSD will block the user account. It is a nuclear option. But there is nothing to keep a member from setting up another user account to continue the interference.

Sadly, it sounds as if this child is no longer being parented.

[russellhltn]

GSD will block the user account.

User Account? There's no login involved for WiFi access.

Sadly, it sounds as if this child is no longer being parented.

Agree. That's one of the reasons I think this is best tackled at the "user" level rather than though technology. I realize that's not a comfortable conversation. But it needs to be done.