Tom Hanks, the actor who voices Woody in the Toy Story franchise, has described the forthcoming fifth instalment as a deliberate commentary on screen addiction among children. Speaking at a press event in Los Angeles, Hanks said the film would explore the consequences of excessive device use, framing the narrative as a cautionary tale for modern families.
The actor’s remarks have drawn an immediate response from British children’s charities, several of which issued statements praising the film’s thematic direction. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children noted that the film’s message aligned with its own campaigns for digital wellbeing. Barnardo’s added that the film could help start conversations between parents and children about screen time limits.
The Toy Story franchise, initiated by Pixar in 1995, has long tackled complex emotional themes through the prism of animated toys. The fourth film, released in 2019, dealt with purpose and letting go. The upcoming sequel, scheduled for release in 2026, appears to shift focus to the digital age’s impact on childhood development.
Hanks said that the decision to address screen addiction was driven by real-world concerns. The film’s plot reportedly centres on a group of toys navigating a world where children spend more time on tablets than playing with physical objects. The actor described the script as both humorous and unsettling, intended to prompt reflection rather than alarm.
UK-based advocacy groups have long warned about the risks of prolonged screen exposure. A 2023 report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health found that excessive screen time was linked to sleep disruption, reduced physical activity, and social withdrawal. The charity Childnet has called for better digital literacy education in schools.
Pixar has not officially confirmed the film’s thematic angle, though early promotional materials hint at a darker tone than previous entries. The studio has historically woven social commentary into its children’s films, including themes of grief in Up and environmentalism in Wall-E.
Hanks’s intervention is significant given his stature in family entertainment. The actor has been vocal about parenting in the digital age, previously stating that his own grandchildren are limited to minimal screen time. His comments are expected to amplify calls for tighter regulation of children’s media consumption.
The government has faced pressure to introduce statutory guidance on screen use. A private member’s bill introduced in the House of Commons earlier this year proposed mandatory digital wellbeing lessons in primary schools. The bill has stalled, but campaigners hope the Toy Story film could inject fresh momentum.
Critics, however, have questioned whether a major studio film produced by Disney can offer genuine critique of the tech industry. Some observers note that Disney itself operates streaming platforms and digital gaming divisions that profit from children’s screen time. Hanks dismissed such concerns, arguing that art can hold a mirror to society even when created within commercial structures.
The film’s release date is set for June 2026. It remains to be seen whether its message will translate into measurable shifts in parenting behaviour. For now, the alignment of a Hollywood star with children’s charities marks an unusual but notable convergence of soft power and advocacy.
