The Rise of the Mosquito Devices

Ireland is such a nice, pleasant, politically-correct country, isn’t it? Well, it would be if it wasn’t for those damn teenagers. No matter where you go in Ireland, you’re sure to see a fast-food outlet with a small brigade of adolescents outside it. The intimidating sight has cost many chippers valuable business. But now the frustrated employers have a new device to scatter the layabouts. It’s called the mosquito, and it is going to discriminate against every youth in this country. The mosquito device – or teen tormentor as some companies are selling it under – emits a high frequency wave that is only audible to young people. When an employee notices a gang has gathered outside the premises the mosquito button is pressed, which turns on the gadget, and drives the yobs away. The problem is that every baby, child and teenager in the vicinity will become distressed at the screeching noise. The Four Lanterns restaurant, Letterkenny is one such restaurant that has installed the gadget, and owner Kevin Grimes is delighted with the results. ‘Within about 10 minutes of switching it on, the group tends to move away.’ Grimes also insisted that its use is directly aimed at the minority of problem youths and since it was a family restaurant, a doorman was not an option. At present, Letterkenny Town Council have invited selling agents to give a presentation on the device, as demand for the appliance is growing. But we are not the only country to try such methods to keep teenagers at bay. In Britain, the mosquito has been seen as a success. In the Welsh town of Newport, a humble Spar shop has seen a decline in the number of slackers outside. Manager Sue Oates is delighted at the turnover, ‘since the Mosquito has been there the number of youths has dropped dramatically so staff and customers feel a lot safer.’ But some of her workers are not so happy with the mosquito. Twenty-year old employee Andrew Beese said,’ it’s what you'd expect a dog whistle to sound like - a really high-pitched whine. I wouldn't want to sit round that noise constantly, it's not something you can just ignore." The mosquito is not the only method to combat teenage behaviour that has come to our shores from Britannia. Enter stage left, the Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), which was introduced in the Republic this year, after a controversial success next door. ASBOs are typically given out for vandalism, abusive behaviour, harassment and theft, but on rare occasions individual punishment can be handed out. On March 30, 2006, it was announced that 7,356 ASBOs have been issued in England and Wales. However, the Irish Government has sworn that ASBOs will only be given out as a last resort. The main difference between ASBOs and the mosquito device is that the ASBO targets the thug only, whereas the mosquito affects everyone 25 years and under in the area. The name in itself discriminates and many young people are taking a stand against it. ‘If my local shop installed a mosquito device, they wouldn’t have my business again’, says 17-year old Dail na nOg delegate Marie Ryan, ‘I see advertisements for them, with people my age with their hands against their ears and looking like they’re in pain and I’m disgusted.’ ‘The Irish Times’ and many young people claim that the cause for groups of teenagers clustering together outside chippers is the lack of facilities for their generation. This view is shared by 18-year old, European Youth Parliament delegate Craig Flood. ‘Everywhere we go as a group, we get suspicious looks from workers which make us feel unwanted. There are youth cafes and groups organised by foroige, but only in certain parts of the country.’ The mosquito has been generating a lot of controversy in the media since its introduction in Ireland. In April, RTE Radio 1’s Liveline was bombarded with parents ringing in to complain and praise the contentious device. One father said ‘I for one think the device is brilliant. It’s not discriminating against all teenagers. My daughter has never hung around in a gang and if she wanted to, I wouldn’t let her.’ This view was not shared by another father who was appalled with the appliance. ‘My daughter has Down syndrome, and when we were driving by a shop that had the mosquito on she started screaming and crying. No one can tell me that thing is harmless.’ So far the press has been surprisingly neutral on the issue. The only thing keeping the mosquito legal is the fact that the high frequency buzzing is believed not to cause any physical harm. Compound Security Systems Ltd., the company that unleashed the mosquito, has released an investigation, proving that the gadget does not infringe on teenager’s human rights. Demand for the device has increased so drastically, that it is no longer just businesses that have ordered the mosquito. Homeowners are getting in on the act as well. Should you want to banish teenagers from entering your premises, or want to oust kiddies from your gaff, the mosquito will set you back €745. ‘It’s hard not to be offended by the mosquito’, says Marie Ryan, ‘Young people are more aware of their rights now then ever before. The mosquito is a despicable creation and a kick in the head for all young people.’ Whether it’s just to protect business or to combat unsavoury customers, the mosquito is getting bigger and bigger, and it will not be going anywhere for a long time. ENDS