The Mosquito (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

The Mosquito

6:38pm Friday 28th May 2010 in YOUR Richmond News

In the Social Justice Group in my school we often discuss the subject of discrimination against young people, and a topic that has come up several times is that of the mosquito. It is also something that many people I know have experienced, in places like McDonalds in Richmond.

The mosquito is a device that emits an extremely high pitched noise (around 14kHz) which is used to disperse groups of young people who are seen to be ‘loitering’ around shops or restaurants, and it is fairly effective too. Only people of an age around 25 and under can hear the noise, so it doesn’t drive away older, more ‘mature’ customers.

It may sound like a good idea in theory but there are many flaws. For one thing, there is evidence that it is extremely distressing to autistic children. Also, it will also annoy young children who have no choice but to go where their parents go, who can’t hear it. Furthermore, although it causing pain isn’t its intention, it can be painful to people hearing it, but the adults, who make these decisions, can’t experience it. In addition, most young people who go out with friends do not intend to cause trouble; however, the people who set off these devices automatically assume that they are out to do their worst. This means that innocent young people are discriminated against and older people, who are just as capable of doing damage, have nothing like this used against them.