Anti-Teen Loitering Device: Is It Torture?

The Mosquito is an electronic "anti-teen loitering" device that emits an annoying sound akin to a mosquito buzzing in your ear that can only be heard by teenagers and people in their 20s (who still have sensitive hair cells in their inner ear).

After selling 1,000 units in the United States, the company that sells the device is now being criticized for torturing teens!

"It's horrible, loud and irritating," said Eddie Holder, 15, who sprinted from his apartment for school one morning covering one ear with his hand to block out the noise. The device was installed outside the building to drive away loiterers. "I have to hurry out of the building because it's so annoying. It's this screeching sound that you have to get away from or it will drive you crazy."

The device has roiled civil liberties groups in countries where it's in use, including England, Australia and Scotland. England's government-appointed Children's Commission proposed a ban. That group describes it as a weapon that infringes on the basic rights of young people and claims that it could have unknown long-term health effects.

The $1,500 device has also been challenged in some American cities and towns that have proposed installing it, with some criticizing the tactic as needlessly cruel.

Others, however, have praised the Mosquito:

"We'd have crowds gather in parking lots, and there'd be the usual trash talk, then you'd have fights," said Rick McGee, the school district's emergency services manager. "Now, there's no confrontation at all; they just get aggravated and leave within a few minutes."

No words on the effectiveness of the original anti-teen loitering devices, Mozart and Kenny G, as compared to the newfangled device: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/23/teen.be.gone.ap/index.html - via Boing Boing


Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

It's about time they came up with something. I hate going shopping then trying to fight my way through punk kids that have nothing better to do than just sit there, smoking and talking trash about everyone. When you loiter, your breaking the law.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Here is another site I found where you can download the tones for free. I found it interesting, I am 24 and could still hear some of the higher tones, so test it out yourself.

http://free-mosquito-ringtones.net
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I find it nice that just because minors can't legally fight back we get tons of crap dumped on us. I can't wear a T-shirt to school when the old lady in the cafeteria can walk around the halls wearing an outfit with an Obama advertisement on every piece of her clothing? (Mind you we had one of those cheesy kids voting polls for president where McCain won 308-94 so she was defined as trolling) We have to constantly be annoyed by deafening ringing because a percentage of us might commit a crime? I loathe being a teenager as is, no need to dump more dread on the pile.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
do this things really work in most teenagers nowadays? I think it'll be more likely to be annoying to people in their late 30's and up since they probably have a better hearing than most 15 year olds nowadays. All this listening of super low quality mp3's in iPods with those earbuds that hurt your ears and stuff it's taking its toll in teenagers.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.




Email This Post to a Friend
"Anti-Teen Loitering Device: Is It Torture?"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More