Portsmouth Point is the official blog of PGS's magazine of ideas and culture. The article we are highlighting this week is by Austin S in Year 12 about The Mosquito Alarm.
The Mosquito Alarm
What is the mosquito alarm?
The mosquito alarm was invented in 2005 by Howard Stapleton, a British engineer from Wales. It is a device that creates a high-frequency sound (typically above 17 kilohertz) normally only heard by younger people. Howard Stapleton created this device to protect his teenage daughter from loitering youths who were vandalising property near their home.
Use of the device:
By 2006, the mosquito alarm began to be adopted in parts of the United Kingdom and later in other countries such as the United States, Australia, and some European nations. It was mainly used by shop owners and local councils. They were placed in areas where young people commonly gathered, such as shopping centres and outside private businesses. An example of this is in Bitterne (Southampton) where they deter individuals from being near flats, day and night.
Impact on society:
Between 2007 and 2008, the device became controversial after reports emerged that it was being used specifically to discourage teenagers from loitering. Its high-pitched noise causes discomfort to young people and sometimes even pain. Although this was its aim, many members of the public weren’t aware of its impact.
As awareness grew, human rights organisations and youth advocacy groups raised concerns. Critics of the alarm argued that it discriminated based on age and violated young people’s right to access public spaces. In 2008 some local governments and countries restricted its use, e.g., the county of Kent and Belgium (technically).
The public felt the alarm was used to exclude young people from society by restricting their movement. Whilst some argue the alarm helps reduce loitering and vandalism, others see them as discriminatory. By targeting solely young people, it can create feelings of exclusion and make the youth feel like they aren’t valued members of society.
Another part of society this alarm impacts is dogs. It is no secret that a dog’s hearing is far superior to a human's. This means that dogs can clearly hear the mosquitoes' high frequencies and cause the dog to feel uncomfortable or be in pain. With dog owners typically being above 25, many will not hear the alarm that causes the dogs discomfort and not understand the issue. Continuous time within the presence of the alarm can lead to heightened anxiety and a decline in the animal's mental well-being.
Solutions:
The device should be strictly regulated; this means it is limited to specific times (night) and clearly signposted. This prevents the problem of vandalism or unsocial behaviour, which is normally done at night, whilst also keeping the youth included in society during the day. If individuals want to walk near there at night, then have it clearly signposted so dog walkers can understand the problem. By having this transparentness, it promotes fairness and explanation rather than silently discriminating.
