Comment: Pink acne lights may humiliate young people

Thursday 7 May 2009

Adolescence is a time when many young people feel self-conscious and insecure about their appearance, and skin problems such as acne can bring an additional element of discomfort to those affected.

It is disturbing, therefore, to learn of the installation of pink lighting, similar to that used by dermatologists to show up blemishes and acne, by a residents' association in Mansfield. The lights, installed at public areas where young people gather, are designed to deter their presence. The chair of the association leading the initiative claims that the pink, potentially "uncool" colour of the lighting is intended as the deterrent but in fact these devices may breach articles within the European Convention on Human Rights, which is now part of our domestic law.

The initiative, which was launched in consultation with Nottinghamshire Police, clearly considers young people to be a nuisance and contributes to a culture of mistrust between generations. Just like Sonic Teenager Deterrents, or "mosquitoes", it is symptomatic of a wider approach taken towards Britain's young people, who are increasingly marginalised and pushed to the edges of society rather than treated as valuable members of their communities.

A much more positive approach to the issue of large groups of young people congregating in public areas would be a genuine investment in creating local spaces for young people to meet and socialise, and to learn about community participation. Teaching children and young people about their role in building future communities has never been so important. Young people are not only the future; they are part of our present and should have the same rights as everyone else. They should be treated with respect, not with contempt and not banished from public areas to perhaps retreat to less safe places.

Janine Young is NCB's children and young people's participation co-ordinator.