How the Teen Journal game works.

Measurable Progress

Every time your teen submits a draft, revises an article, or offers feedback to a peer, they earn points. As they build points, they unlock new levels—just like in their favorite games.

Achievements & Incentive

We reward more than just good grammar. Teens earn digital badges for creativity, collaboration, revision, and growth—all of which will be displayed on their personal profiles.

Social Interaction

Your teen will join a “house” of fellow writers—a built-in writing community that celebrates each other's wins and climbs the leaderboard together. They’ll bond over team challenges and boost each other’s creativity.

Points + Level System

How to earn points

  1. Submit article draft + 200 P

  2. Respond to a Teen Journal Prompt + 150 P

  3. Article gets published + 300 P

  4. Comment on a peer’s article* + 100 P

  5. Win “Top Article of the Month”** + 500 P

  6. Enter writing contest** + 250 P

  7. Win 1st place in writing contest +750 P

  8. Win 2nd place in writing contest + 550 P

  9. Get a friend to join the Teen Journal**** + 1,000 P

*comments must be at least 3 sentences and follow these guidelines
**must be in response to a Teen Journal Prompt (found in member home page)
***contest submissions do not count as “submitting” or “publishing” an article
****can only earn these sign up points twice

Level System

  1. Newsroom Newbie - 0-999 P

  2. Word Whiz - 1,000-2,999 P

  3. Burgeoning Blogger - 3,000-4,999 P

  4. Junior Journalist - 5,000-7,999 P 

  5. Tabloid Trailblazer - 8,000-11,999 P 

  6. Culture Critic - 12,000-15,999 P 

  7. Storytelling Sage - 16,000-20,999 P

  8. Elite Editor - 21,000-25,999 P

  9. Publishing Pro - 26,000-29,999 P

  10. Legend of the Press- 30,000 P + invitation to be a Teen Journal Intern*

*(incredible opportunity + leadership role for college applications & future resumes)

Recognition Badges

Fresh Ink

  • Published 1 article

  • Commented on 1 article

Magazine Maverick

  • Published 8 articles

  • Commented on 8 articles

  • Entered 3 writing contests

Literary Legend

  • Published 20 articles

  • Commented on 20 articles

  • Entered 5 writing contests

Rising Voice

  • Published 4 articles

  • Commented on 4 articles

  • Entered 2 writing contests

Headline Hero

  • Published 14 articles

  • Commented on 14 articles

  • Entered 4 writing contests

Team Publishing “Houses”

Compete for house points: the total combined points of all teens in that house

Rules for Plagiarism & Use of AI

Merriam Webster defines plagiarism as “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own” or
“to use (another's production) without crediting the source”.

  1. You must cite every source you use, including photos and images, by creating a WORKS CITED page at the bottom of your article. View the WORKS CITED template here.

  2. If you do not cite the sources that you use in your essay, you are plagiarizing.

  3. If you are caught plagiarizing, your account will be terminated and you will no longer be able to participate in the Teen Journal.

  4. AI is the future. We can’t tell you to NOT use AI. With that being said, you may use AI to help you in the brainstorming process, but the final shape of your thoughts and words must be your own in your articles.

  5. If it is clear that your words are not your own, but the words of AI, your account will be terminated and you will no longer be able to participate in the Teen Journal.

  6. Please know that it is very easy for us trained writing professionals to know the difference between a sophisticated AI bot’s writing and a middle school/high school student’s writing.