I replaced our smart TV with an old VHS player. My kids watch less TV, fight less, and don't throw tantrums.

Courtesy of Kelsey Heeter Mariah Smith turned off her smart TV after her son saw a horror trailer that scared him.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mariah Smith . It has been edited for length and clarity.

After my youngest child was born, we were all in survival mode , and it felt like the TV was always on to keep my older two kids entertained.

I knew I needed to do something about the amount of screen time they were having, but I was too exhausted to do much about it.

And then I didn't have a choice.

My 8-year-old found a horror film

We've got a smart TV , and when you turn on the menu, completely unwarranted advertisements for movies and shows pop up in the toolbar.

My 8-year-old managed to find a trailer for a horror film , something really scary about an exorcism.…