UNITED KINGDOM: Campaign against the 'Mosquito' device

A UK firm is marketing an electronic device, The Mosquito, which is claimed to work by emitting a high-frequency sound that older people should not be able to hear. The firm openly markets it as a way of driving away ‘annoying teenagers’. The UK's Children's Commissioner, and others including Belgium's Children's Rights Commissioner, have lent their voices to  a campaign to ban the use of the device.

They strongly criticise the use of the Mosquito because it infringes children's human rights, not least the freedom to assemble. Not only does it discriminate against children, but its long-term effects are unknown and it harms community relations.

Indeed, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its recent review of the UK, concluded:

"The Committee is concerned at the restriction imposed on the freedom of movement and peaceful assembly of children by the anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) as well as by the use of the so-called “mosquito devices” and the introduction of the concept of “dispersed zones”.

The Committee recommends that the State party reconsider the ASBOs as well as other
measures such as the mosquito devices insofar as they may violate the rights of children to freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, the enjoyment of which is essential for the children’s development and may only subject to very limited restrictions as enshrined in article 15 of the Convention. “

Fair Play for Children, an organisation which campaigns for every child's right to play, has launched a campaign against the use of the Mosquito. They recommendthe following measures:

• Sign the OnLine Petition to the Prime Minister at
  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ANTITEENDEVICE/
• If you come across any use of the Mosquito Device, email: [email protected]
• Take part in Fair Play for Children's OnLine Poll:
  www.fairplayforchildren.org on the Home Page.
• Organise a Boycott of Shops using the Mosquito Device – organise
  peaceful protest – for example, two people standing outside a Shop fitted with
  the Device handing out leaflets – contact Fair Play on this
• Complain to your Member of Parliament / Councillors – go to
  http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ which informs you how to email your
  MP and local Councillors
• Complain to your Chief Constable and the Chief Executive of your
  Council if a Local Crime Reduction Partnership in your area is using this
  Device
• Write to your local Newspaper and Radio/TV stations
• Email Childrens Rights Alliance for England to express your opposition:
  [email protected]
• Email the Children’s Commissioner for England: he already has made a
  strong condemnation: [email protected]
• If your Child is affected by use of such a device: contact a solicitor to get
  advice on action you can take 

Further information

• Belgium: Message from Children’s Rights Commissioner on the ‘Mosquito’