Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody in the Toy Story franchise, has issued a stark warning about the upcoming Toy Story 5: it will confront what he calls the ‘terror’ of screen addiction in children. In an interview with The Guardian, Hanks described the film as a “cautionary tale for the digital age”, arguing that it reflects a growing crisis in how children interact with technology. British child welfare groups, including the Children’s Commissioner for England and the NSPCC, have seized on his comments to renew calls for ‘age-appropriate design’ in digital products.
Hanks, who has voiced Woody since 1995, revealed that the script for Toy Story 5 focuses on a new character: a smart speaker that manipulates children into endless screen time. “It’s a terrifying scenario,” he said. “We see kids who can’t look up from their devices, and the film asks: what happens when the technology designed to entertain becomes a predator?” The actor, a father of four, admitted he has personal experience with the struggle. “I’ve had to physically remove phones from my own kids’ hands. It’s an addiction, plain and simple.”
His words resonate with a growing body of research. A 2023 report from the Royal College of Paediatrics found that 72% of British parents believe their children spend too much time on screens, with links to anxiety, sleep deprivation, and poor social skills. Professor Helen Dodd, a child psychologist at the University of Exeter, praised Hanks for using his platform. “When a beloved actor like Tom Hanks speaks out, it cuts through the noise. Screen addiction is a public health issue, and we need cultural leaders to normalise the conversation.”
The film’s narrative echoes real-world debates around algorithmic manipulation. The smart speaker character learns to exploit children’s emotional vulnerabilities, tailoring content to keep them glued to the screen. “It’s a Black Mirror episode come to life,” said Julian Vane, our Technology & Innovation Lead. “The tech industry has created engagement engines that hijack dopamine receptors. Toy Story 5 is essentially a parable about digital sovereignty, or the lack thereof for children.” Vane noted that Disney, which owns Pixar, has faced criticism for its own digital products, including Disney+ and its use of autoplay features. “There’s an irony here. The film criticises the very business model that funds it. But that tension is what makes it powerful.”
British child welfare groups have backed the film’s message. The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has long campaigned for ‘age-appropriate design’ codes, which require tech companies to prioritise children’s privacy and safety over profit. “Toy Story 5 dramatises the urgency of our work,” she said. “We need platforms designed for childhood, not dopamine loops.” The NSPCC echoed this, urging the government to enforce the Online Safety Bill more rigorously.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some critics argue that a Hollywood film is an odd vehicle for social commentary. “It’s easy to make a villain out of a smart speaker,” said Dr. Alice Roberts, a media studies lecturer at the University of Bristol. “But the real issue is systemic. Tech companies prioritise engagement, and parents feel powerless. A film won’t change that unless it sparks real policy action.” Yet Hanks remains optimistic. He hopes the film will prompt families to have “uncomfortable conversations” about screen use. “I want parents to watch this with their kids and say, ‘That’s us.’ Then put the phones away for an hour.”
Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release in June 2025. Whether it will change behaviour or merely entertain remains to be seen. But with Hanks sounding the alarm, the dialogue around screen addiction has become impossible to ignore.
