One of the most surprising themes emerging from Disney and Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 5 has very little to do with toys.
Instead, it centers on something almost every family experiences every day:
Screens.
According to previews and interviews surrounding the film, the latest installment introduces a new challenge for Woody, Buzz, and their friends—not another villain or adventure, but children’s growing fascination with tablets, smartphones, gaming devices, and digital entertainment. Rather than competing with other toys, they now find themselves competing with technology for a child’s attention.
Christian commentators have noted that this storyline reflects a growing concern shared by many parents: children are spending more time engaging with screens and less time engaging with the people and world around them.
Whether families plan to watch Toy Story 5 or not, the underlying issue is real.
The average child today is surrounded by digital devices from the earliest years of life.
Phones.
Tablets.
Video games.
Streaming services.
Social media.
Artificial intelligence.
Technology offers incredible benefits.
Children can learn new skills.
Access educational resources.
Communicate with family across great distances.
Explore creativity.
Yet every benefit comes with responsibility.
The greatest danger isn’t simply that children spend too much time looking at screens.
It is that screens begin shaping their hearts more than parents do.
Every hour spent consuming media is an hour being discipled by someone.
The question isn’t whether our children are being discipled.
The question is:
Who is discipling them?
Scripture places that responsibility squarely upon parents.
God never assigned Hollywood…
Silicon Valley…
Public schools…
Or social media influencers…
To raise the next generation.
He entrusted that responsibility to mothers and fathers.
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
Christian parents are called to teach God’s truth throughout everyday life—while sitting at home, walking together, lying down, and rising up.
That kind of discipleship requires presence.
Conversations.
Shared experiences.
Time together.
No screen can replace those things.
Technology itself is not evil.
Like every tool, it can be used wisely or foolishly.
The internet can spread the Gospel.
Bible apps place Scripture in millions of hands.
Educational programs help children learn.
Families separated by distance can remain connected.
But wise parents understand that tools make poor masters.
When technology begins replacing relationships…
Replacing conversation…
Replacing worship…
Replacing family meals…
Replacing God’s Word…
It has moved beyond serving us.
It has begun shaping us.
One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children today is not the newest device.
It is their undivided attention.
Children rarely remember the latest software update.
They remember family dinners.
Bedtime prayers.
Reading Scripture together.
Playing outside.
Conversations that helped them understand life through God’s Word.
Those moments build something no algorithm can manufacture.
Character.
Wisdom.
Faith.
The Apostle Paul urged believers to think carefully about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, consider these things. (Philippians 4:8)
That command applies not only to adults.
It should also shape what fills the minds of our children.
Every movie…
Every game…
Every app…
Every video…
Every social media feed…
Is quietly influencing someone’s heart.
Parents cannot eliminate every harmful influence.
But they can intentionally create homes where Christ remains the greatest influence.
Whether Toy Story 5 succeeds at the box office is ultimately a secondary question.
The more important question is whether Christian families will recognize the real battle taking place beyond the movie screen.
Our children’s attention is valuable.
Their hearts are even more valuable.
May we steward both wisely.
Because no screen can ever replace a parent faithfully pointing a child to Jesus Christ.
Biblical Perspective
Technology is a gift that can be used for great good.
But Scripture reminds us that every generation must intentionally pass the faith to the next.
Christian parents are called to disciple their children—not simply entertain them.
That means setting healthy boundaries, modeling wise technology use, creating space for real conversations, and ensuring that God’s Word—not a screen—becomes the loudest voice in the home.
Our greatest calling is not to raise digitally connected children.
It is to raise children who know, love, and follow Jesus Christ.
