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An ultrasonic device that deters congregating teenagers with its high-pitched whine should be banned because it infringes their rights, the Children's Commissioner has said.
The Mosquito, which produces a penetrating tone that only under-25s can hear, has proved popular with shop owners and councils who want to banish groups of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour.
But Prof Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner, said the Mosquito was an "indiscriminate" weapon that fuelled animosity between young and old.
He said Mosquitos, which affect toddlers as well as teenagers, were a symptom of adults' intolerant attitude towards young people.
Only young people can hear it because the ability to detect high-frequency noises diminishes with age.
The Children's Commissioner has launched a campaign to rid the country of Mosquitos with the human rights group Liberty.
He said: "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving."
Their use "demonised" youngsters, he claimed.
"I think it is a powerful symptom of what I call the malaise at the heart of our society."
He told BBC Radio 4: "I'm very concerned about what I see to be an emerging gap between the young and the old, the fears, the intolerance, even the hatred, of the older generation towards the young."
There are an estimated 3,500 Mosquitos nationwide. Shopkeepers have been quick to defend their use.
James Lowman, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "These youths deter customers, intimidate staff and can commit vandalism and violence."
The Mosquito, which produces a penetrating tone that only under-25s can hear, has proved popular with shop owners and councils who want to banish groups of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour.
But Prof Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner, said the Mosquito was an "indiscriminate" weapon that fuelled animosity between young and old.
He said Mosquitos, which affect toddlers as well as teenagers, were a symptom of adults' intolerant attitude towards young people.
Only young people can hear it because the ability to detect high-frequency noises diminishes with age.
The Children's Commissioner has launched a campaign to rid the country of Mosquitos with the human rights group Liberty.
He said: "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving."
Their use "demonised" youngsters, he claimed.
"I think it is a powerful symptom of what I call the malaise at the heart of our society."
He told BBC Radio 4: "I'm very concerned about what I see to be an emerging gap between the young and the old, the fears, the intolerance, even the hatred, of the older generation towards the young."
There are an estimated 3,500 Mosquitos nationwide. Shopkeepers have been quick to defend their use.
James Lowman, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "These youths deter customers, intimidate staff and can commit vandalism and violence."
My vote is awesome invention!
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