---
title: "Social media bans, global chaos and rising abortion numbers: Christians react"
date: 2026-01-21T10:19:00+00:00
author: Zanna Meynell
canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/social-media-bans-political-defections-and-rising-abortion-numbers-christians-react"
section: Pages
---
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## Social media bans, global chaos and rising abortion numbers: Christians react

### Watch Cross Section now

 

 

 ](#%0A%09%09%09)

 

 

 

 

  Peter Lynas, Alicia Edmund and Danny Webster are all together in the studio for this week’s episode of Cross Section. The episode covers many of the top stories that have dominated our news feeds.

During the introduction, each contributor brings a story that caught their eye. These range from the discussion of conversion therapy on The Traitors to Trump and the Chagos Islands deal and the Darlington nurses’ victory.

The main conversation focuses on the rising pressure for the government to legislate a social media ban for under-16-year-olds. Australia have done this already; will the UK be next? Danny and Peter share reflections on parenting kids at different stages and how this conversation calls for us all to think about our phone use. What would the practical outworkings of this ban look like and is it the solution to the cultural problems with social media and our phones that are so prevalent?

We would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Email us at [cross.​section@​eauk.​org](mailto:cross.section@eauk.org) to join the discussion.

The team then discuss the many Reform defections that continue to be announced. From Robert Jenrick to a potential Labour defection – who could be next? How do we navigate this chaotic and ever-changing political landscape as Christians?

For the final few minutes, the team reflect on the alarming abortion statistics from 2023 that were released last week. There had been an 11% rise in abortions from the previous year. This cannot be ignored by the church and the team reflect on the call for churches to be speaking into this issue and the challenges around that.

 

 

  #### Timestamps:

 

  0:00 — Introduction

1:42 — Conversion therapy and The Traitors

3:14 — Trump and Greenland

6:46 — Darlington nurses’ victory

11:18 — Social media ban debate

21:09 — Political defections

32:07 — Abortion statistics and reactions