Technology is not the villain in ‘Toy Story 5.’ Excess is

Technology Is Not the Enemy in ‘Toy Story 5’—But Excess Can Be

Technology is not the villain in Toy – When I sat down with my toddler son to reenact a scene from ‘Toy Story 5,’ I wasn’t expecting to feel a wave of guilt. The story unfolded in the quiet backstreets of Radiator Springs, where Lightning McQueen and his companions have called home for years. Suddenly, a shower of meteors descended, threatening to reduce the tiny cars to smoldering debris. The chaos reminded me of disaster films, but this time, the hero was Buzz Lightyear, racing in from the world of ‘Paw Patrol’ to rescue the day. As we played out the action with plastic figures, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my child’s obsession with screens might be on the verge of backfiring.

My son is just three, yet we’ve spent countless hours watching cartoons together. That’s a lot of screen exposure for a child so young. I’ve always been strict about limiting his viewing, allowing him to indulge in portions of his favorite shows twice a day. But as we approached ‘Toy Story 5,’ I was convinced the movie would critique my approach. How could a film designed for screens possibly make me feel worse about my child’s screen habits? Turns out, the movie didn’t do that. Instead, it offered a nuanced take on technology’s role in family life.

The Arrival of Lilypad: A New Threat to Toydom

The fifth installment from Pixar’s iconic franchise centers on Bonnie’s beloved toys, now facing a crisis as Lilypad—a tablet—enters their world. The device, with its sleek design and alluring glow, threatens to swallow Bonnie’s attention entirely. In one scene, the tablet overtakes the 8-year-old’s day, leaving her toys feeling obsolete. The toys, once the heart of Bonnie’s imagination, now watch as their time with her dwindles, replaced by the allure of digital screens.

“The age of toys is over,” declares an old robot toy early in the film, signaling a shift in the narrative. This sentiment resonates with parents who’ve felt the pressure to prioritize technology over traditional play. Bonnie’s parents, though well-meaning, are caught in a dilemma. They want to nurture their daughter’s creativity and help her build real-world friendships, yet they introduce Lilypad as a tool to bridge that gap. The film captures the tension between innovation and nostalgia, showing how screens can both connect and disconnect.

“We may be on a device answering emails or doing work, working on proposals or projects, but our children are seeing us on the screen and not really understanding that,” said Josephine Hunt, a public-school teacher and children’s mental health advocate based in Park Ridge, New Jersey.

Hunt’s words echo the themes of ‘Toy Story 5,’ which doesn’t villainize technology but highlights its pervasive influence. The movie’s opening scene, where a meteor threatens the cars, is a metaphor for the digital age’s potential to disrupt even the most cherished routines. Yet, the conflict isn’t just about screens—it’s about how they reshape the dynamics of a family.

Bonnie’s parents are portrayed as conflicted. They’re desperate to give their daughter a more tangible social experience, but they’re also hesitant to let her immerse herself in the digital world. This duality mirrors the challenges many parents face today. The film’s heartstrings are pulled not just by Bonnie’s struggle to balance her toy friends and her tablet, but by the broader question of how technology affects family bonds.

A Family Affair: Screen Time as a Shared Experience

What struck me most was the film’s subtle message: screen time isn’t just a child’s issue—it’s a family one. In one scene, a parent is engrossed in their phone during dinner, oblivious to the chaos in the room. The toys, watching from the sidelines, realize that even when they’re not in use, screens are a constant presence in daily life. This moment underscores the idea that children don’t just inherit devices from parents; they inherit habits, and those habits shape their relationship with technology.

“Young children model what they see without nuance,” Hunt explained. “If parents are glued to their screens during meals, children pick up that behavior. It’s not about banning technology—it’s about understanding its role in family life.” The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimated in 2025 that children aged 8 to 18 in the U.S. spend an average of 7.5 hours a day engaged with screens. That number is staggering, and ‘Toy Story 5’ uses its characters to illustrate the consequences of such exposure.

Yet, the film isn’t a complete indictment of technology. It acknowledges that screens can be valuable tools, especially for fostering creativity and connection. Lilypad, for example, is designed to help Bonnie make friends and explore new worlds. The conflict arises when the tablet becomes more than a tool—it becomes an obsession. The toys, who have spent years in Bonnie’s care, feel abandoned as she becomes more drawn to the digital realm.

Guiding the Digital Generation: Lessons from the Screen

One of the film’s strengths is its ability to translate complex themes into relatable family moments. It encourages parents to be more intentional about their screen use, not just for their children’s sake but for their own. “Simple conversations about device use can help children distinguish between necessary engagement and leisure,” Hunt noted. These discussions, she added, can also teach kids to recognize the physical toll of overuse—like eye strain or neck pain—before it becomes a long-term issue.

The movie’s resolution offers hope. Bonnie’s parents ultimately find a way to integrate technology into their daughter’s life without letting it overshadow her imagination. They model balance, showing that screens can coexist with creativity. This approach aligns with the advice given by child development experts: involving children in decisions about their screen time fosters responsibility and understanding. “When kids participate in setting limits, they’re more likely to stick to them,” Hunt said. It’s a lesson that extends beyond the toy box.

As I reflected on the film, I realized how much of our lives are spent in front of screens. From the moment we wake up to the time we fall asleep, technology is a constant companion. ‘Toy Story 5’ reminds us that the real challenge lies in how we use it. The question isn’t whether screens are good or bad—it’s about the balance we maintain within our households. The toys’ struggle to remain relevant mirrors the anxieties of parents who fear their children are becoming too dependent on digital worlds.

So, as our family prepares for the next chapter of this digital journey, I’m reminded of the film’s message. If a group of toys could run through our home unnoticed, how much of our own time are we spending on devices without even realizing it? The answer, as the movie suggests, is that screen time is a shared experience. It’s not just about controlling what our children watch—it’s about controlling how we all engage with technology. After all, the next time a meteor strikes, it might not be the toys who save the day—but the parents, learning to be more present in the process.