316: Managing Emotions on Social Media with Dr. Jen Bennett
If social media leaves you feeling “less than,” emotionally drained, or stuck in comparison, today’s episode is for you. Dr. Jen Bennett joins us to unpack the emotional weight we carry online—and how to reclaim peace, purpose, and confidence in who God says we are. Together, we explore powerful mindset shifts, identity-rooted truths, and practical ways to engage social media without letting it steal your joy.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
[00:00] Why “Keyboard Courage” Is Shaping Our Digital Culture—and Our Hearts
[04:00] What Do We Lose Emotionally When We Don’t Pause Before Posting?
[10:00] 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Post or Comment
[13:00] Why Do Online Words Leave Such a Lasting Impact?
[15:00] How Does Social Media Trigger Comparison, Shame, and Insecurity?
[18:00] Can These Four Questions Shift How You Show Up Online?
[22:00] Using the A.D.D. Method to Process Emotions Like Jealousy, Rejection, or Offense
[24:00] Why We Must Name the Emotion Before It Hijacks Our Behavior
[25:00] What Boundary Shift Can Help Me Use Social Media Without Losing Myself?
[00:00] Why “Keyboard Courage” Is Shaping Our Digital Culture—and Our Hearts
Social media gives us unprecedented access to each other—and to each other’s opinions, Dr. Jen shares. But it also gives people permission to speak without reflection or consequence. That “keyboard courage” means more of us are posting things we’d never say face-to-face. And while we might think our words are just fleeting text on a screen, they can deeply affect someone’s identity, emotions, and sense of worth. What we write online may be digital, but the impact is deeply human.
[04:00] What Do We Lose Emotionally When We Don’t Pause Before Posting?
The fast pace of social media has made reflection feel optional. But when we skip the pause, we lose more than just perspective—we lose compassion, kindness, and humility. Quick posts made in the heat of emotion often turn into long-term regret. Reactivity may feel powerful in the moment, but it fractures relationships and corrodes trust. Digital wisdom begins with self-control—and the willingness to stay silent when silence is holy.
[10:00] 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Post or Comment
Before hitting “post,” Dr Jen suggests that we run it through these seven filters:
- Why am I posting this?
- Am I helping or harming?
- Could this cause unnecessary division?
- Am I reflecting God through these words?
- Is this emotionally reactive or prayerfully reflective?
- How will I feel about this in a week?
- Is God truly leading me to speak—or am I just emotionally triggered?
These questions create a holy pause that invites the Holy Spirit to guide—not our insecurities, frustrations, or need to be heard.
[13:00] Why Do Online Words Leave Such a Lasting Impact?
The internet may feel fleeting, but words spoken there tend to echo, she shares. What we type lingers in someone’s heart long after the screen goes dark. It shapes perceptions, opens or closes relational doors, and influences how others see Christ in us. Every comment leaves a mark. The question is: does it point others toward peace—or away from it?
[15:00] How Does Social Media Trigger Comparison, Shame, and Insecurity?
The highlight reel effect is real—and dangerous. It subtly tells us we’re behind, not enough, or unseen. It tempts us to withhold joy, fearing we’ll trigger someone else’s pain. But shrinking our gratitude doesn't protect others; it just steals the praise God deserves. We can post with sensitivity and humility while still rejoicing in what God is doing.
[18:00] Can These Four Questions Shift How You Show Up Online?
Dr. Jen suggests that we use these four questions as an emotional and spiritual checkpoint before you hit share:
- What’s my intention?
- Could this be misunderstood or unintentionally hurtful?
- Is this edifying to the body of Christ?
- Is this necessary?
These questions don’t silence truth—they elevate it. Because truth without love is a clanging cymbal, and love without discernment is noise.
[22:00] Using the A.D.D. Method to Process Emotions Like Jealousy, Rejection, or Offense
When a post triggers something deep, the A.D.D. Method helps interrupt the spiral:
- Acknowledge the emotion without judgment. “I feel rejected,” “I feel unseen.”
- Discern what’s true. “Is this really about me—or about their story?”
- Decide how to respond. “Do I need a boundary, a break, or a different perspective?”
This simple framework invites you to partner with God in managing emotions before they manage you.
[24:00] Why We Must Name the Emotion Before It Hijacks Our Behavior
When you find yourself emotionally spiraling after a scroll, don’t ignore the feeling. That icky, tight-in-the-chest sensation is a signal, not a shame. Naming it—jealousy, sadness, shame—brings it into the light. And only what’s brought into the light can be healed. Emotional clarity is a form of spiritual warfare.
[25:00] What Boundary Shift Can Help You Use Social Media Without Losing Yourself?
You don’t have to delete every account to regain control—but you do have to create boundaries that protect your peace.
Removing apps from your main phone, using a separate device, and limiting screen time are more than digital detox tips—they’re ways to align your tech use with your values.
Presence is powerful. And it’s hard to live with purpose when we’re constantly living through a screen.
RESOURCES:
Want help applying what you’re learning here each week? Come join us in the Emotional Confidence Club—a hands-on learning community of Christian women discovering how to handle everyday emotions with calm, clarity and confidence. Apply now at: https://aliciamichelle.com/club
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