Why Should the Mosquito Be Banned?

What is the mosquito device?

The Mosquito Teen Deterrent is a device that emits a high pitched noise aimed at dispersing young people gathered in public places. The frequency of the device is above the hearing range of people over 25 years, thus it specifically targets young people. The Mosquito devise is made by Compound Security Systems (CSS) based in Wales. Since its launch in January 2006, 8,000 devices have been sold in Europe. Responding to demand, the company produced a more powerful model, with a 50 metre range, designed for use in larger areas like cemeteries and building sites; and a smaller, cheaper model for small shops or private homes.

Who uses it?

In the UK, the police, local Councils, shops and even private home owners are among those to have purchased and installed the Mosquito device.

How does its use impact on children?

The Mosquito causes discomfort to children, and in turn impacts on parents and parenting. For example, an eight-year-old boy in the UK said he had heard the Mosquito device in operation, but was afraid to tell his parents in case they did not believe him. “That buzzing noise”, he said, “I’ve heard it, the other night about one in the morning”. “What were you doing out at that time”, asked the reporter. “I wasn’t”, said the child. “I live over the shops. It’s always waking me up.”

Another child, who has had ear surgery, described how the device sets off her tinnitus (ringing in her ears), and causes her significant pain. Two teenage girls described the noise as ‘going right through you’, like “a sort of screeching noise.” The device frustrates parents too, who have reported that children become agitated and need to leave public places, like supermarkets or car parks, quickly and without explanation.

Why ban the use of the Mosquito?

It is a violation of Human Rights The use of the Mosquito contravenes a number of principles protected by international and European human rights law including:

• Right to respect for private and family life (Article 8, European Convention on Human Rights)

• Prohibition of discrimination (Article 14, European Convention on Human Rights)

• Protection from physical or mental violence, injury or abuse (Article 19, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

• Freedom of assembly and association (Article 15, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

• Right to a high standard of physical and mental health (Article 24, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

It is criticized by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its Concluding Observations to the UK in October 2008, came out strongly against the use of the Mosquito device. The Committee expressed its concern at the restriction imposed by the Mosquito device on the freedom of movement and peaceful assembly of children, and recommended that the UK Government reconsider its use, insofar as it may violate these rights for children. It notes that the right to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly are essential to children’s development, and, according to Article 15 of the Convention can only be subject to very limited restrictions.

It’s potentially illegal

Given that the Mosquito device is capable, in its ordinary use, of perpetrating a criminal assault within the meaning of Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, 1997, and therefore, its users leave themselves liable to criminal prosecution.

It is discriminatory on the grounds of age

Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that the rights included in the Convention shall be secured, for all, without discrimination on any ground. The right to be free from discrimination is an unqualified right and the use of the Mosquito may be considered discriminatory on the grounds of age, as it is targeted specifically at children and young people.

It is indiscriminate

The Mosquito device affects all children and young people, not just those that are engaging in criminal or anti-social behavior. It is equally disturbing for a baby in a pram as for a teenager throwing stones. A similar device targeting all adults or all elderly people would is likely to be greeted with outrage. Excluding all children, regardless of their behavior, from shared public space is, quite simply, not fair. It is also unclear if the use of the devise would breach the Equal Status Act, 2000.

It devalues children’s quality of life

Quality of life depends on the quality of, and access to, shared resources; it is a measure of the health of the public realm. Yet children, through use of devices like the Mosquito are willfully excluded and segregated from public space by adults. A society that values its children and young people and seeks to instil in them values of dignity and respect does not ban them from shared spaces by using deterrent technology.

It fosters negative stereotypes about youth

Media attitudes to young people are increasingly extreme. Use of the Mosquito device reinforces these attitudes, by creating an understanding that all young people, when assembled together in a group, are there to cause trouble and should be dispersed. Degrading children, by denying them access to public space, instead of providing opportunities for them can only be detrimental in the long-term. It may also contribute to the perception among young people that the law is not there to protect them.

It is not yet fully understood

The long-term health implications of being subjected to the Mosquito device are not clear. Nor is it understood how the Mosquito affects some groups more than others. For example, the Co-op supermarket in the UK stopped using the device following complaints from a young person with autism who was made feel ill and disorientated by the high-pitched sound. It is not yet known whether the device can be heard by, or affect, babies in the womb.

"Prohibiting the use of the Mosquito device would demonstrate the Government’s commitment to its objectives, and would be a victory for children’s rights in the UK"