Screen Time

Toy Story 5 was another incredibly well-written animated film, just like the others. What stood out to me most was that I connected with it from two completely different perspectives.

First, I connected with the little boy from the '90s who was first introduced to Woody and Buzz. Then, I connected with the parent raising young children in the middle of the technology era.

As the kid who grew up with these characters, it was nostalgic seeing Woody and Buzz back together. Apparently Woody is aging now... just like the rest of us. It was also great seeing Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and the original toys still together. They're no longer with Andy, who first introduced us to them, but they've found a new home with Bonnie. That alone reminded me that life moves forward, but the memories stay with us.

With Jessie—or should I say, Jessica—now leading the toys, she faced a challenge unlike any before: Lily Pad, Bonnie's tablet.

The movie brilliantly tackled something almost every modern parent is navigating: children's growing dependence on technology. It explored shorter attention spans, less face-to-face interaction, the importance of monitoring online activity, and how easily peer pressure can influence a child.

Jessie, representing imagination and traditional play, constantly clashed with Lily Pad, representing technology. But what I appreciated most was that the movie never painted either one as the villain. Instead, they eventually realized they both wanted the same thing: what's best for Bonnie.

Lily Pad recognized the harm technology can cause when left unchecked and began encouraging healthier habits. Jessie, on the other hand, realized the world has changed, and technology isn't something that has to be defeated—it simply has to be balanced.

As a parent, that message really hit home.

I'm not the biggest fan of making everything about screens, and I'm intentional about limiting my children's screen time. At the same time, I don't want to become the dinosaur parent who refuses to let them learn to navigate the world they're actually growing up in.

Technology doesn't have to replace imagination, outdoor play, creativity, or human connection. But pretending it doesn't exist isn't realistic either. The goal isn't choosing one over the other—it's creating a healthy balance between both.

If you're a parent who's either too traditional or too dependent on technology, Toy Story 5 does a remarkable job of showing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Sometimes the greatest lesson isn't choosing a side—it's learning that both can coexist.

As I watched, I realized I wasn't just revisiting my childhood—I was being challenged as a parent. And maybe that's what Toy Story has always done best. The toys may change owners, generations may come and go, and the world may look completely different than it did in 1995, but the lessons about growing up, letting go, and finding balance remain timeless.

— Samuel