Controversial Device Repels Teenagers

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2008 10:31 AM

In a previous article, we wrote about a ring tone that only teenagers can hear. They use it to fool adults into thinking that they aren't using a cell phone, such as in school where cell phones may be banned. Now, it seems, the adults are getting back at the teens, taking advantage of the sound to repel teens from hanging out in places where they are not wanted, such as in front of an apartment building, at the street corner or on school grounds after hours. But the device is highly controversial. Human rights activists and civil liberties unions say that it is a weapon impinges on the teen's rights and that putting such a crowd control device into the hands of the public is dangerous.

The device, called the Mosquito and sold under the company name "Kids Be Gone," works by emitting a high frequency sound that has been compared to the sound of nails run across a blackboard or a mosquito buzzing around your ear. Usually, only people in their teens and twenties can hear the sound, because they still retain the sensitive hairs in the ears that are later damaged or missing in adults. How much your hearing has deteriorated over the years or has been damaged by loud noises will determine whether or not you can hear the noise. Another interesting aspect of this sound is that babies and animals can hear it, although it doesn't seem to bother them the way it does bother teens and young people. Anyone over 12 that can hear the sound can only tolerate it for a few moments and say that it "drives you crazy."

About 1,000 of the devices have been sold in the United States and Canada, and it is also being sold in England, Scotland and Australia. Owners use the device to repel youth from hanging around the area, and have high praises for the effectiveness of reducing youth-related crime.

What do you think of the Mosquito device? Is it a good idea or bad idea?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Samual (11722) 24 Apr 2008 02:37 PM

They have one of those outside and inside a shop here, we cannot go near it with our children as the sounds hurts their ears so much they cry and our baby screams, it's disgusting. We can't even walk by the shop anymore we have to take a different route. It's disgusting and it should never be allowed.

jonesx6 (1606) 24 Apr 2008 04:27 PM

As a mom of 3 "teen" boys this saddens me. Young men this age are such a blessing and instead of shoving them off we need to remember that these are important years. I had never heard of the device before. Hopefully it gets banned!! Laura

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 25 Apr 2008 03:08 AM

There are individual communities that have banned the use of the device in their town or region.