In Philadelphia, 30 parks and recreation centers are outfitted with a small speaker called the Mosquito. It blares a constant, high-pitched Imagine Dragons playlist all night long — but one that only teenagers and young adults can hear.
Anyone over age 25 is supposed to be immune because, basically, their ear cells have started to die off.
Philadelphia parks officials have been installing the device since 2014, reported WHYY’s Billy Penn, intending to shoo rowdy youths from the premises.
And it’s not the only U.S. city to do so. Mosquito’s Vancouver-based manufacturer Moving Sound Technologies works with roughly 20 parks departments around the country to implement the youth-repellent devices, says president Michael Gibson.
It’s intended to prevent loitering and vandalism by teens and young adults at public facilities. But some say this age-based targeting is a form of prejudice.