Deet

There are many things you may want to say about the youth of today. You may feel that they lack respect. You may feel that they are lazy. But you have to admit that they still show a resourcefullness that I would have been proud of.


The anti-teenager box, also known as the "Mosquito" or the Sonic Teenage Deterrant, works by emitting a sound between 15000 and 17000 Hz. This is too high pitched for adult ears but sends teenagers crackers. The sound is supposed to be so irritating that it drives them away, and it can even penetrate through headphones. The theory is that it is installed in areas where teenagers gather and cause a public nuisance.


Without doubt a good plan. But here is where the resourcefullness comes in. A sound that can't be heard by adults. Now, how could that be handy. Some rather inventive teenagers have actually gone up to the "Mosquito" and recorded the sound. They have then converted it into a ring tone for mobile phones. And passed it around all their mates. Changed the name to "Teen Buzz". And use it to alert each other to the arrival of text messages on their phone during class time. The teachers can't hear it so are oblivious to the texting going on around them. I think the phrase is "result".