The Mosquito

The Mosquito
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The Mosquito or Mosquito alarm (marketed as the Beethoven in France and the Swiss-Mosquito in Switzerland) is an electronic device which emits an ultrasonic sound, similar to the buzz of a mosquito (approximately 17.4 kHz at 85dB)[1][clarification needed]. The device is typically heard by people less than 25 years of age because the ability to hear high frequencies deteriorates in humans with age (a phenomenon known as presbycusis).
The device is marketed as a safety and security tool for preventing anti-social behaviour such as gang loitering which has been publicly associated with graffiti, vandalism, drug usage, drug distribution, and violence. In the UK, over 3000 have been sold, mainly for use outside shops and near transport hubs.[2] The device is also being sold in Australia, Canada and the USA.[3]
The Mosquito has attracted controversy on the basis of human rights. Critics say that using the Mosquito is discrimination against young people and that the device infringes their human rights. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that making the Mosquito illegal would infringe the human rights of shopkeepers who suffer business losses when "unruly teenagers" drive away their customers.[4] Mosquito distributors have said that they employ standards to ensure that the device is not abused and the Welsh inventor of the device, Howard Stapleton, has asked European governments to legislate guidelines governing its use.[3]
Contents[hide]
1 History
2 Awards
3 Health effects
4 Support of the Mosquito
5 Opposition
6 Teen Buzz ringtone
7 Legal status
7.1 Europe
7.2 France
7.3 Republic of Ireland
7.4 United Kingdom
8 References
9 External links
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