A mother has expressed frustration over the ending of Toy Story 5, claiming it taught her children the 'wrong lesson' about screen time. In a Reddit post on the Mommit forum, she said the film's acceptance of a tablet device as a hero undermined her efforts to limit their use of technology at home.
Film's Plot and Message
The latest Pixar installment follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and other toys as they face a new challenge: children preferring tablets over traditional toys. The devices, called LilyPad in the film, initially leave the toys feeling sidelined. However, the story concludes with the toys learning that technology and traditional play can coexist, each offering different benefits.
According to the mother, her children interpreted this as a validation of screen time. 'My kids' favourite character from this movie? The LilyPad (iPad device). She's a good guy! See, the other toys accepted her!' she wrote. She added that Bonnie's parents in the film did not restrict the device, which she found troubling.
Parental Concerns and Reactions
The mother had hoped the film would encourage less screen time, but instead felt it had the opposite effect. 'I was so p***ed off at the ending of this movie. Why couldn't the iPad be a villain they defeated at the end? They had full-on villains they defeated in the other Toy Story movies,' she said.
She also worried about the film's portrayal of online connections: 'The most worrying part? Bonnie's parents didn't even try to restrict it. It came away with the lesson that because it could potentially connect kids with strangers... that's somehow a good thing.'
Mixed Responses from Other Parents
While some parents agreed with her concerns, others argued the film's message was about balance. One Reddit user replied: 'Maybe the lesson is for parents to be more proactive about monitoring what their children are doing on their tablets.' Another added: 'I loved the movie. Devices aren't going anywhere for the majority of kids. But we don't own any devices for our kids. If you want them off them, take them away. They will need a detox.'
A third commenter noted: 'LilyPad isn't portrayed as evil because she's not evil. The parents in the movie shouldn't have given their elementary-aged child unmonitored chat access.'
Broader Implications
The debate highlights the challenges parents face in managing screen time in an increasingly digital world. Toy Story 5, released in cinemas now, aims to address the integration of technology into children's lives, but its nuanced message may not resonate with all viewers. As one parent summed up: 'Use the parental controls to limit their tablet time and access.'
