Toy Story 5: screens, childhood and the challenge of accompanying

The release of Toy Story 5 has sparked renewed discussions around children's relationship with technology, highlighting the complex challenge parents face in guiding their kids through the digital age. The film does not offer simple solutions or condemnations of screen time, instead emphasizing the need for parental presence and dialogue in helping children develop a balanced approach to technology. According to the author of a recent column, the real issue is not whether screens harm children, but how adults can support them in navigating this evolving landscape. “We will see more and more children holding devices,” she wrote. “The answer isn’t to demonize or surrender. It’s about being present, helping them build intelligent, critical, and balanced relationships with technology.” Every time a new movie or series addresses the intersection of childhood and technology, familiar concerns resurface: Are screens ruining our children? Should we keep them away from devices? Are we losing childhood as we know it? Toy Story 5 brings these questions back into focus, but unlike previous media, it avoids offering black-and-white answers. Rather than portraying technology as inherently harmful, the film reflects a reality many families already experience: children want to be where their friends are, and increasingly, that space is digital. One of the main reasons parents give their children mobile phones is not just for safety or entertainment, but because of the need to belong. Group chats, online games, shared conversations, and digital interactions have become integral parts of children’s daily lives. Without access to these spaces, kids risk being left out of social experiences, games, and shared moments with peers. This tension is central to the film’s narrative, acknowledging that technology is part of modern life while showing the potential consequences of early exposure without proper guidance. A key strength of the film lies in its depiction of how screens can displace essential developmental experiences. Unstructured play, exploration, imagination, physical activity, and face-to-face interaction remain crucial for the well-being and socioemotional growth of children. Toy Story 5 reminds viewers that childhood still requires screen-free spaces, creative boredom, outdoor time, and opportunities to form bonds in person. Yet the film’s most important message goes beyond the number of hours spent in front of a screen. What truly matters is adult presence. Research conducted in Chile through the Kids Online initiative shows that children are acquiring devices at younger ages, dropping from an average of 11 years in 2016 to 8.9 years in 2022 (Informe Kids Online Chile, 2024; Santana et al., 2025). In light of this trend, the question shifts from whether children will have access to technology to how they will learn to use it effectively. Studies also indicate that children and adolescents are not passive users of technology. They develop strategies to manage privacy, regulate usage time, resolve online conflicts, and navigate digital risks (Santana et al., 2026). Research involving teenagers in Chile and Colombia reveals that many young people exercise agency and self-regulation, reflecting on their digital habits and valuing in-person interactions. Post-pandemic surveys show that many teens learned to appreciate offline time and face-to-face encounters. However, these skills do not emerge spontaneously, they are built over time. This leads to the film’s second major contribution: the importance of parental mediation. Supporting children through their digital journey means being actively involved in their process of integration with technology. It involves understanding their digital world, engaging in open dialogue, and fostering trust. Parents must help children recognize both the benefits and limitations of technology, ensuring it complements rather than replaces meaningful human connections. As society continues to evolve alongside technological advancements, Toy Story 5 serves as a timely reminder that the challenges of the digital age require thoughtful engagement rather than fear or resignation. The film underscores that the future of childhood is not defined solely by the presence of screens, but by the quality of the relationships, both digital and real, that shape it.