Toy Story 5 has sparked debate among parents about screen time and device use, particularly for families raising children with autism and other developmental differences.
The film apparently features a storyline involving excessive screen time that resonates differently depending on family circumstances. Some parents view the narrative as cautionary messaging about digital devices. Others, however, see the portrayal as dismissive of technology's genuine benefits for their children.
Conner James Black, associate director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute, offers practical guidance for families navigating this tension. Black recommends using two separate devices rather than one: a dedicated communication device and a separate device for entertainment purposes.
This separation serves multiple purposes. For children with autism and speech differences, dedicated communication devices often use specialized apps designed specifically for language development and expression. Mixing entertainment apps on the same device can create distraction and complicate progress with therapeutic tools. Children may struggle to distinguish between playtime and intentional communication work.
The recommendation also respects the reality that technology serves different functions in different families. For some children, screens are purely recreational. For others, they represent an essential pathway to learning, communicating, and connecting with the world.
Parents watching Toy Story 5 might notice their own mixed feelings. If your child uses AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices, speech apps, or educational tools on tablets, those technologies aren't villains. They're therapeutic equipment. A film's narrative about screen time doesn't capture the nuance of your family's actual needs.
The Child Mind Institute's two-device approach offers a practical framework for families concerned about screen dependency while honoring legitimate therapeutic uses. It creates clear boundaries: this device is for talking, this one is for fun. That clarity helps children understand purpose and supports healthier relationships with technology overall.
Your family's approach to devices should match your values and your child's needs, not a movie plot