How does it make you feel?

© 2001-2009 Independent Media Centre Ireland

What is an ultrasonic dispersal device or Mosquito?

• Mosquitos are used to try and stop anti-social behaviour

•The device works by making a high pitched ringing sound which only under 25 year olds can hear.

•It affects babies and toddlers as well.

How does it work ?

• As you get older your hearing gets worse and you can no longer hear high pitched noises like the sound the mosquito device makes

Since the launch of the first model Mosquito in January 2006, over 8,000 units have been sold around the world and 3,500 have been sold in this country!!

Who uses them?

police forces

local authorities

large national and international retail stores

small independent shops

factories

commercial and personal properties

banks and car parks

The Mosquito DeviceAdvantages Disadvantages

•Could prevent youth crime outside and within properties

•Could deter teenagers from standing outside shops and encourage them to participate in other activities

•Helps adults/ other young people to feel safer (reduces fear)

•Discriminates against all young people

•Affects babies and toddlers too!

•Could be potentially harmful to hearing

•Just moves young people on to other areas without a mosquito therefore doesn’t tackle the problem head on

•There is no evidence or proof that it actually works!

•Makes us move away from places we feel safe in!

•Builds up barriers between younger and older people

Sir Al. Aynsley Green-Children’s Commissioner

GIVE FEEDBACK &MAKE A COMPLAINTThe Children’s Commissionercan look at official ‘feedbackand complaints procedures’for young people, and suggestimprovements to theseprocedures if they’re notworking very well foryoung people.

•In February he helped to launch the BUZZ OFF Campaign to halt the use of ultra sonic teen deterrents

• There was a photo shoot in parliament square

Your Task:•Come up with a campaign like the Buzz Off campaign in pairs

•It is up to you how you do it but it must have a NAME and you must get the following information across:

•why the mosquito has been introduced

•who is using it and where

• who it is affecting

•what the issues are surrounding the device (including advantages and disadvantages)

• What the possible solutions/alternatives are(Could be a leaflet for Sir Al/ the public, a written document, poster, webpage, ideas are endless!!!)