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.

Submit article draft

+ 200 points

Respond to a Teen Journal Prompt

+ 150 points

Article gets published

+ 300 points

Comment on a peer’s article or reply to a comment

+ 100 points

Publish 1 article per month for 3 months

+ 500 points

Enter writing contest

+ 250 points

Win 1st place in writing contest

+ 2,000 points

Win 2nd place in writing contest

+ 1,000 points

Get a friend to join the Teen Journal

+ 1,000 points
* Comments must be at least 3 sentences and follow our community guidelines.
** Contest submissions do not count as submitting or publishing an article.
*** You can only earn referral points up to 4 times.

Newsroom Newbie

0–999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to begin building your publishing empire.

Word Whiz

1,000–2,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: get critical feedback on your writing style.

Burgeoning Blogger

3,000–4,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to develop your "niche" as a published blogger.
+ Be interviewed for a 5-minute episode of the Teen Journal Podcast

Junior Journalist

5,000–7,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: how to make journalism articles that fit your “niche” and cater to your specific audience.

Tabloid Trailblazer

8,000–11,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to create your own meaningful Spotify podcast channel PART 1.
+ Be interviewed as the guest star on a 10-minute episode of the Teen Journal Podcast.

Culture Critic

12,000–15,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to create your own meaningful Spotify podcast channel PART 2.

Storytelling Sage

16,000–20,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan on how to publish a book as a teen author.

Media Master

21,000–25,999 points
60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan on how to publish a book as a teen author PART 2.

Publishing Pro

26,000–29,999 points
Inducted into the Teen Journal Hall of Fame
+ 60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to create your own YouTube channel.

Editor-in-Chief

30,000–34,999 points
Paid 6-month internship as editor and content creator for the Teen Journal.
OR 60-minute private coaching session: step-by-step plan to create your own YouTube channel PART 2.

Legend of the Press

35,000+ points + Unlock the Legendary Prize Vault!
60-minute private coaching lessons to build your publishing career:

• 35,000–39,999 points: Step by Step Plan: Launch & develop your Substack channel
• 40,000–44,999 points: Step by Step Plan: Launch & develop your Spotify podcast
• 45,000–49,999 points: Step by Step Plan: Launch & develop your YouTube channel
• 50,000+ points: Every 10,000 points= 1 additional 60-minute private coaching session in area of choice

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.