Toy Story 5 introduces a new villain, a talking tablet named LilyPad, and some adults are cheering. The film leans into a familiar fear that technology is stealing childhood, but history shows these panics rarely match reality. This article unpacks why the “tablet as villain” storyline says more about adult anxiety than it does about today’s kids.

A recent Nov 2025 study published in JAMA revealed a growing trend every parent  and caregiver should pay attention to, that being teens and young adults are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for emotional and mental health support. (1) The study reported that 13% of U.S. youth now use AI tools to talk about their mental health. Among young adults aged 18 to 21, that number climbs to 22%, and two-thirds of those users seek AI support at least once a month. Dr. E

Calls to delay youth access to smartphones and social media until 14 or 16 often sound protective, but evidence shows they can backfire. Safety doesn’t come from age-based bans, it comes from guided exposure, education, and parental involvement. A scaffolded, compassionate approach builds digital competence and resilience, preparing all youth for the connected world they already live in.