Loan sharks, Social media addiction, Canwen Xu

Woman's Hour explores three urgent social issues in this episode: the hidden crisis of coerced debt in domestic abuse, the psychological toll of social media on youth, and the cultural impact of identity and representation. Dr. Jen Glinski of Scottish Women's Aid reveals alarming findings about how abusive partners manipulate finances, leaving survivors trapped in cycles of poverty, debt, and fear—often turning to illegal loan sharks with no viable alternatives. The episode highlights systemic failures in support services and calls for national awareness and legal reform. In a powerful interview, author Kanwen Xu discusses her debut novel *Boring Asian Female*, a psychological thriller that confronts the pressures of immigrant identity, academic perfectionism, and the model minority myth, using her own experiences and a viral TEDx talk as a foundation. The conversation turns to youth mental health, with experts Professor Bernadka Dobitska and Jenny Afia addressing the addictive design of social media platforms, the mental health consequences for teens, and the legal challenges of holding tech giants accountable. Despite growing evidence of harm, particularly among girls, systemic change remains slow. The episode closes with a celebration of *The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind*, a new West End musical based on the true story of Malawian inventor William Kamkwamba, praised for its uplifting message and powerful storytelling. The episode underscores the need for empathy, systemic reform, and creative expression in confronting complex modern challenges.