Teens targeted in new high-frequency technology
By Erin Emerson
Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced the embarrassment of hearing their phone go off right in the middle of a dead silent classroom.
Even when on vibrate, a ringing phone invites glares from professors as the owner rummages through his or her bag to find it.
The good news is this may not be a problem for much longer.
The Mosquito Ringtone works like magic, emitting a tone at approximately 17.4 MHz, which most adults over the age of 20 can't hear.
This means a vast majority of teachers would have no idea of a phone going off during class. Ironically enough, the tone was invented by adults as a "teen repellent."
Compound Security Systems Ltd. of Britain began marketing the Mosquito in response to the overwhelming frequency of teenage loitering around various businesses. These businesses believe loitering often leads to vandalism, harassment or violence.
The original idea was that local kids would be given one verbal warning to scram, and, if they did not, the Mosquito would be turned on, producing a loud, obnoxious tone.
Security tapes available on the security company's Web site show the exterior of a theatre, crowded with "hooligans" one minute and deserted the next. All this, they say, is because the sound lies at the top of a youngster's hearing range, making it the most annoying screech possible.
Some may wonder if the sound could be damaging to small children, whose ears are more sensitive and are able to hear a wider range of frequencies. At 17.4 MHz, this tone is not anywhere near the top of their hearing range, meaning that it is far less annoying to them.
In fact, the Mosquito is specifically designed to target teens. However, teens struck back by downloading and sharing the tone as a ring tone for their phones. This, unfortunately, has prompted many questions regarding the effects of such a technology.
For example, teachers are concerned that the tone will lead to an increase in cheating, especially at the high school level.
High school student Zana Martorana disagrees with this claim, saying, "I don't think cheating is the real factor here. I just think that a noise like that would be very disruptive in the classroom, especially if the person calling is persistent."
And it is true that the tone, while convenient, solicits similar responses from various teens.
Santa Clara sophomore Samantha Greene called the noise "very annoying" and went so far as to say that with continued exposure it became "painful."
If in doubt, head to www.google.com and look up the "Mosquito Ringtone." Download the tone and test it on your friends and family.
It appears the future of cell phone technology has arrived. The Mosquito can be accessed on most cell phone providers' Web sites, as well as on various sites online.
Contact Erin Emerson at eemerson@scu.edu.