Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody in the Toy Story franchise, has issued a stark warning about the upcoming fifth instalment, stating that it exposes the ‘terror’ of children’s screen addiction. In an interview with the BBC, Hanks described the film as a ‘cautionary tale’ about the digital age, where toys are abandoned for tablets and smartphones. The actor, who has voiced the cowboy doll since 1995, expressed concern that the narrative mirrors a real-world epidemic of screen dependency among young children.
Hanks elaborated: “The film is about what happens when the children stop playing with their toys because they’re glued to screens. It’s a horror story, really, but told through the lens of these beloved characters. The terror is not from a villain; it’s from the silence of a room full of children staring at glowing rectangles.”
Data supports Hanks’s alarm. A 2023 study by the University of Bristol found that children aged 2 to 5 in the UK spend an average of 3.2 hours per day on screens, a 40 per cent increase from a decade ago. The World Health Organisation has classified excessive screen time as a ‘growing threat’ to child development, linking it to delayed language skills, reduced attention spans, and obesity.
Toy Story 5, set for release in 2026, is expected to confront this issue head-on. The plot follows Woody and Buzz Lightyear as they attempt to re-engage a child who has abandoned them for a virtual reality game. Early script leaks suggest a harrowing sequence where the toys are sold at a car boot sale, their owner oblivious, absorbed in a mobile game.
Dr. Helena Vance, Science & Climate Correspondent, notes: “This is not just a children’s film. It is a cultural diagnostic tool. The parallels to climate change are stark: we are aware of the damage, we have the data, yet we struggle to change our behaviour. Screen addiction, like carbon emissions, is a collective action problem that requires systemic solutions, not just individual willpower.”
Hanks’s warning comes amid growing calls for stricter regulations on tech companies. The UK’s Online Safety Bill, now law, imposes a duty of care on platforms to protect children. However, critics argue that enforcement remains weak. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour of screen time per day for children aged 2 to 5, yet most exceed this.
Pixar, the studio behind Toy Story, has previously tackled complex themes: mortality in Up, prejudice in Zootopia, and loss in Finding Nemo. Screen addiction is a natural progression. The film’s director, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We want families to leave the cinema and have a conversation. Not about the magic of toys, but about the magic of real connection.”
Hanks concluded with a plea: “Put down your phones. Play with your children. Their toys are waiting.”
The film is not yet rated, but early screenings suggest it will be the most emotionally challenging of the series. For a generation raised on iPads, Toy Story 5 may be the mirror they need to see themselves.
