Hi Reader,

Summer is in full swing here. Pool days, grilled everything, and later bedtimes. I’m relishing all of it.

Growing up in Florida, summer afternoons meant movies. Thunderstorms and brutal heat drove us to the local AMC almost every week for the latest blockbuster. Settling into a cold theater with my friends is one of my favorite childhood memories. That nostalgia hit hard this past weekend when we took my girls to see Toy Story 5. It was my 3-year old's first movie in a theater. Let's just say she can't wait to go back.

​​Have you seen it yet? The theme is “toys versus technology.” A cast of new device characters compete for the attention of Bonnie, now 8, who still loves playing with toys but is starting to feel social pressure to move her playtime online. Her new device, LilyPad, helps her connect with friends from dance class. But, things get complicated fast.

The movie captures something real about what our kids are navigating: friendship, identity, and the push-pull between physical and digital play. I’d recommend it for kids of any age. It's entertaining and it’s a great launchpad for conversation at home.

A few takeaways:

1. It’s not toys vs. tech. It’s toys AND tech. The movie ultimately lands somewhere nuanced: both toys and devices are part of childhood now. The question isn’t which one wins. Instead, it’s how we help our kids move between them in a healthy way. That framing matters. When we treat tech as the enemy, we miss the opportunity to teach kids how to use it well. The goal is balance, not elimination.

2. Without boundaries, tech fills every gap. Bonnie’s parents let her have LilyPad basically 24/7. It charges in her room, and she reaches for it the moment she wakes up. Sound familiar? The movie is a clear reminder that our kids need structure around technology, not because devices are bad, but because without limits, they crowd out everything else: imaginative play, boredom (which is actually good!), face-to-face connection, and rest. Boundaries aren’t punishment. They’re the scaffolding kids need while they’re still developing self-regulation.

3. Online friendships bring real emotions — and kids often carry them alone. When Bonnie hits a rough patch in her group chat, she doesn’t tell her parents. She sits with it quietly. They eventually see the chat and step in, but the window of silent struggle is telling. Our kids need to know we’re not just monitoring their screens, we’re genuinely curious about their social lives online. The goal isn’t surveillance; it’s staying close enough that they actually want to tell us when something feels hard.

Here are a few conversation starters grouped by age. Once you see the movie with your kids, ask them one (or all) of these questions!

Ages 4–7:

• In the movie, Bonnie plays with both toys and her tablet. Do you like playing with your toys or using [device] better? Why?
• Bonnie’s toys felt sad when she stopped playing with them. Have you ever felt like that about something you used to love?

Ages 8–12:

• Do you ever feel pressure from friends to be online more (in games, group chats, or apps)? What’s that like?
• Bonnie kept some of her online friendship drama to herself for a while. Is there anything going on with your friends online that you haven’t told me about?
• What do you think the right amount of screen time looks like? Do you think we have the balance right in our house?
• If you had to give up either all your toys/games or all your devices for a week, which would be harder? Why?

Ages 13+:

• The movie argues that tech and offline time can coexist. Do you feel like you have that balance, or does one pull harder than the other?
• Bonnie’s parents didn’t see her group chat drama until late. How do you feel about me having visibility into your online conversations? Where’s the line between privacy and safety for you?
• Have you ever felt pressure to be “always available” online even when you didn’t want to be? How do you handle it?
• What would it look like for you to have a healthier relationship with your phone? Is there anything you wish was different?

Have you seen Toy Story 5 yet? Hit reply and tell me what you and/or your kids thought! I’d love to hear.

In partnership,

Dr. Rupa

P.S. As always, Tech Ready is here for you when you are ready. It a "digital driver's ed" course designed for tweens + their parents to take together. It helps you build a shared language and a plan to navigate the first device with confidence.