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don't write your college essay about video games

Before you write your college essay on video games

May 22, 2019 by Sara Nolan 2 Comments

Every year, I see a whole bunch of well-meaning students who want to write their college application essays about playing video games, their talent, bliss, hard-earned improvement over time, frustrations when they just can’t beat XYZ and– PSA , please rethink this college essay topic choice, friends.

Maybe the topic feels oh-so-right to you, and you’re perplexed why I (who am all about student choice) am handing the essay back to you to revise.

Yes, you can sometimes “lose all track of time” playing your favorite video games. And isn’t that exactly what Common App Prompt #6 is asking about?

Sure, the Common App want to know about your total absorption, such that the rest of life falls away ( who cares if it’s garbage pickup day?) , and all that matters is your passion. Right?

That is– until you’re stumped, stuck at Level 3 (Common App #6 asks, “Why does it captivate you? “ Because I need to get to level four, hello?) , and throw your controller at the wall. Maybe you call your cousin for help, the one who regularly locks himself in his room for three days straight with a jumbo size Mountain Dew – You-Ever-Even-Drink-Water (Common App #6 asks, “What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”).

There has got to be more to your life and soul than this.

But shouldn’t you write your essay about what you love most? (Well, maybe!)

AND GAMING MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE, you’ll argue! Yes, these video games are the most exciting thing to you since sliced bread (because, hey, when bread is already sliced, you can blindly pull two pieces out of the bag and put them right in your mouth!).

But it’s not a great idea to subject admissions readers to your level-upping problems and prowess. Maybe they’ll worry you’ll spend all your time at their school gaming too– versus, say, focusing on academics. Or maybe they will feel judgment about a student habit that doesn’t add a whole lot to the world.

I’m riffing here, and it has nothing to do with being for or against video games, generally. My job as college essay writing coach is to guide you toward the best topic for admissions purposes, and I say– your obsession with video games is unlikely to be a good topic.

I have had many bright, accomplished students with big goals– who devote hours weekly to their favorite video games, among other things they love. Most of us have some distraction we turn to for enjoyment or stress relief. It’s also exactly that– distraction, relief.

Reasons not to write about video games:

Rarely is there a good story in there (despite lots of action verbs). Your excellence at the game is likely only interesting to you (and fellow similarly obsessed folks: chat with them instead?). Any storyline belongs more to the games’ narrative than your life experience.
We rarely will learn enough about you as a person (vs as a player). The topic (prompt) is supposed to be an excuse to learn about you, a meaningful story, character trait, or value.
Honestly, the “obstacle” of beating a level or not is not that relevant, no matter how challenging. It’s virtual, just a game. You could be doing other stuff. Onward.
The writing is almost always predictable and cliched. Yes, of course you want to beat the game. Is that not why you play so much?

But when could you write about video games, if you were really, really sure this was the topic burning a hole in your heart?

If you can come up with a unique angle. Video games need to be merely a lens through which we learn about something else key to what makes you you, or vehicle to talk about something else you have lived through, or done.

Some Ways to Turn Your Obsession with Video Games into a better topic:

Hypothetical examples abound, friends:

You used a video gaming habit to help you overcome social anxiety–and it worked.
You came to an insight about something important you could do or create in real life from gaming–and you did it.
You developed important relationships through gaming you would never have found otherwise, ones that had relevance beyond the time you spent online.
You developed new video games yourself, and had real-world business experience.
You had a high stakes bet for a life-saving deal that was contingent on your beating a game–and you did.
You turned around an intense gaming habit and turned it into a new habit that added to your family or community.

All these possible topics give you something substantial to talk about from your real life. But these tweaks mean you are no longer answering Common App prompt #6.

AND I have never read a video game essay that worked well enough to keep (so I challenge you! Change my view!).

Still, descriptions of you playing the actual video games should be minimal. One sentence, maybe two.

So I advise: use your love of games as some needed down time from essay-writing (in doses, please!) but not as your topic. And if you’re the kind of person who does get so obsessed with games you “lose all track of time”– set a timer. Here’s one, the famed focus-enhancing pomodoro timer .

Help, I can’t tweak my topic on my own!

Need help figuring out if you can work your video game passion into a topic that tells us about you? Contact us for fast feedback! But be prepared for hard news. 🙂

We want to know what makes you you . Loving video games soooo much makes you like a whole bunch of other people– but doesn’t tell us a lot worth remembering.

And what your admissions reader wants is to read something memorable.

Reader Interactions

October 13, 2019 at 11:47 pm

Thank you for giving us – college applicants – advice by writing this article! Any information we can receive at this point is extremely crucial. I came across this article of yours when I was looking up college essays that talk about video games. You made some very good points throughout: I understood and agreed with most of them. However, I found it pretty intriguing how you said you haven’t read any gaming-essays that actually worked. (And it was really cute when you asked us to challenge your viewpoint!) Anyways, I am still planning on writing my essay on video games, only from a perspective different from the ones you talked about. Although I am a typical 5.0GPA/1600SAT student with multiple national championships, I spend A LOT of time playing video games… Especially MOBA and Battle Royale. There are so many things I gained from my gaming experience: meeting players from all over the world, developing in-depth relationships with them, establishing and leading groups/clans, help “noobs” learn, and etc. My favorite part about gaming is the strategic aspect: there are so many factors involved! The abilities of the in-game heroes you choose, teamwork, geographical factors, your opponents’ mentality/psychology, when to retreat and when to attack… Players need to put all of these things into consideration when coming up with an in-game strategy… Isn’t that pretty awesome? I wrote a ton of blogs with strategic plans of my own design (I uploaded the majority of them on WeChat, a Chinese social media app, which also gives me international experience!) some of them even got millions of reads, which I still can’t believe… Anyways, I am definitely not commenting JUST to tell you that I am confident in proving you wrong… I don’t think a lot of the other gamers had the same experience as me. However, I thought that it would be cool to share my perspective with you!

Sorry for this huge comment! Cheers! Samantha

October 14, 2019 at 6:46 am

I emailed you but of course I want to see this essay and I am sure my readers do too! Please share. 🙂

With heart SARA

Writing Your College Essay About Video Games

When you’re thinking about writing your college essay about video games, you’ll be at a crossroads…

How you write your essay –and how it sounds– can make or break your chances at college. It can be the difference between UCLA and UC Berkeley, or Cornell and trade school. That’s why writing your college essay about video games can seem especially scary.

The world of college essay writing is brutal. The probability you’ll make at least one mistake is near guaranteed. It may have you asking a few questions.

Is it okay to write about my college essay about video games?
How do I write my college essay about video games without sounding inappropriate?
Will the admissions officers judge me if I write my college essay about League of Legends? Will they even understand the lingo?
What if I don’t have anything else to write about in my college essay? What if all I have is video games?
Will being Asian American and writing about video games negatively impact my admissions chances due to stereotyping?

This can be scary, especially when it jeopardizes your chances of attending college.

However, I have some wisdom that, as an admissions consultant, I believe will help you overcome all the “what-if”s that come with choosing video games as your college essay topic.

Long story short: It’s okay to write your college admissions essay about video games. Period.

I’ll say that again.

It’s okay to write your college admissions essay about video games.

Trust me on this. When I worked as an admissions expert in the general Southern California area before founding PenningPapers, I was bombarded with questions like “is it okay to write my college essay about video games/sports/movies” all the time. I’ve helped many students get into their reach schools despite lower test scores and GPAs. The same pattern repeats itself.

Students who write to impress the admissions officers have okay-ish essays.

Students who open up in their college essays have stellar essays that make a significant difference in the admissions process.

I’ve come across apprehensive people, both students and controlling parents, who were absolutely terrified of having video games in their college essays. Nonetheless, it is absolutely critical that you drill this principle into your mind: most college essay topics are just fine. It is less about the topic itself, and more about how you demonstrate yourself as a valuable asset to the universities.

Remember: universities are screening for the best students. It’s capitalist, roughly speaking.

So, when a university asks “what are your hobbies and interests”, they are really trying to dig into your brain. They need to deconstruct you. That’s how they see value in you as a student. It’s how they determine whether to invest time, money, and professors in you.

Thus, the question is not “can I write my college essay about video games”. Rather, the right question is this: “how do I write a college essay about video games that show my value as a potential candidate”?

In this article, we’ll be covering exactly that. We’ll be discussing how to write your college essay about video games, and more importantly how to do so in a manner that gets you accepted anywhere. Well, okay. Not everywhere, but at least more places than you normally would.

Table of Contents

College Essay Red Flags

Demonstrating value as a candidate through video games, stereotypes, asian american identity, and other considerations in college essays.

When writing your college essay on any topic, regardless of whether it involves sports, mental health, video games, etc, you want the essay to be about you. Sure, you’re talking about video games in your college essay. However, the overarching objective of the college essay writing process is to show the admissions officers’ qualities about you. The games are secondary, and they should only serve to qualify traits and characteristics about you.

Something else you should consider is that there is more to video games than the actual game itself. There is also the culture, development process, and personal meaningful attachment that goes along with it. These should be leveraged in your application.

Think about people who enjoy basketball. The value-free proposition is that basketball fans love seeing people toss an orange circle around a court and place them in nets. This doesn’t tell us anything about people who enjoy basketball. However, if you account for the long history of rivalries, the friends made along the way, and the sense of camaraderie developed through rigorous team efforts, there is much more to a basketball fan that we can see.

Okay. Now let’s take a look back at video games.

There’s the video game in itself; that includes the controls, rules, and functions. Outside of that is the culture surrounding the game, and the community built around it. So, if you are in love with the Super Smash Bros community, you may say that the community plays an important role. How would this manifest itself in an essay? Let’s take an example college essay structure about Super Smash Bros.

College essay outline structure

“Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.” Common App Prompt 7

I’ve always had a love for the Super Smash Bros series.
More than just the game, I’ve shared many memories playing with friends who had the same interest.
The game has helped me wake up a competitive drive that I never knew I had before.
Strangely enough, it molded me into a more disciplined person –unlike with other games.
The inside jokes and silly moments pulled me through tough times I never knew I could have pulled through.
The last few years have been peppered with academic adversity, grit, and determination. It has made pursuing a major in business a rigorous journey.
However, Super Smash Bros played such an important role in both my personal growth –both through the game and the community it threw me in– that it is the topic I felt would make my college admissions story incomplete without it.

Notice how in the example above we’ve demonstrated more about the person than the game itself?

This is the key to writing your college essay about video games. You need to make sure the essay reveals more about you as a person. In the example above, we talk about how the culture around Super Smash Bros, the inside jokes, the friends we’ve made along the way, and the community has molded you into someone more capable and determined. However, we also conclude with how this topic has a soft spot in your heart and makes up a great part of your experience. This helps the admissions office use your essays as a tool to understand you better and, more importantly, better understand why you deserve to attend their school.

Now, let’s talk about red flags when writing your college essay about video games.

For obvious reasons, there are certain video games that may not be appropriate to talk about in the college essay.

For instance, video games that clearly cover sexual abuse, child abuse, controversial topics, and questionable violence can make the college essay tread dangerous territory. There are exceptions. However, you want to make sure you are careful about which games you are covering specifically and what the underlying connotations are.

Another red flag that can come up with video games is the bad rep they get, especially in academic settings. It is often the case that students are told not to play video games if they don’t want to develop video game addiction. They may also want to avoid appearing like video games make them perform worse academically or pose a threat to their future performance at university.

People tend to be more accepting and understanding of video games in the modern era. However, the social stigma that comes with video game culture still lives on –especially in older audiences. Those who have a stigma against video games tend to believe “gamers” are…

unable to focus
inappropriate
prone to bouts of anger “gamer rage”
performing poorly in academics, or will be

It is important to dispel the bad impression of game culture as a whole when writing your college essay. You can do this subtly through subtext, or just dedicating one short paragraph specifying how you segregate yourself from the “toxic” side of gaming.

Some genres of video games also tend to attract a certain type of audience and, thus, cultivate an archetype of people in the community. For instance, Animal Crossing is often associated with people who take gaming casually. However, games such as the Doom series have received a bad reputation from social activist groups for their subtle jokes about social justice culture . This can also be lumped into the “gamer culture” in general.

Not every admissions officer is going to go into a deep dive into the types of video games that you play. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Make sure to do a background check on the video game that you will cover in your college essay, and ask yourself whether it would leave a good or bad impression on you if you were the reader.

This is the most important thing to consider when writing your college essay about video games.

We know we covered this briefly in the beginning, but we want to clarify this further. The goal of the college essay is not just to write about yourself, but also to provide the admissions officers with a tool to better understand you. They use this to measure how valuable of a candidate you will be for their school.

Think of the college admissions process as a capitalist format. Let’s say you own a university. Your goal is to create a space of higher learning that will fit the setting, create a haven of well-cultured and sociable students who feel welcome, and generate enough profit from said students to create a positive feedback loop. This requires you to accept students who would be the best fit for this sort of structure. Who would you like to spend your time, money, and professors on?

Someone who has an interest in video games.
Someone who has an interest in video games and shows how the video games influenced both their career path and their social group.

The second option gives us much more content. It helps us understand as admissions officers why they may be a great fit for the university. Although the topic is about video games, it still reveals to us that games played a big role in structuring their career path and how they make friends. We get to know more about the person, and not the game itself.

Thus, you may want to ask yourself this: how exactly do I want to look like in front of the admissions officers? Use those traits, and demonstrate how video games have nurtured that part of your personality.

This part is something that needs to be addressed very clearly.

Most universities will not directly discriminate against you based on your identity, race, or sex. However, there does exist very clear discrimination against certain groups. This includes specifically Asian and White students. This is because White and Asian students tend to perform higher in academic performance historically; so, to level the playing field, they will need to perform much better than average.

In terms of writing your college essay about video games, you may run the risk of being compared to the many other Asian Americans who will also write their essays on video games. When you have a topic similar or in the same vein as the rest, you effectively have to compete against everyone else who may have a better essay than you.

Remember: many people love video games. You’ll have to find a way to stand out amongst the rest of the applications. However, this will be especially true for students applying as Asian.

One last consideration you may want to, well, consider, is that it would be wise to talk to a college admissions essay editor. Writing your college essay about video games can be a fantastic idea, as long as you don’t fall into pitfalls that so commonly happen. We’ve seen both very strong and very weak college essays about video games. So, consider scheduling a free consultation with us . We can get back to you within 24 hours and provide you with feedback and advice on how to best improve your college essay. We’ve seen many college essays about video games, so we’ll know exactly how to make yours stand out amongst the rest to get you accepted.

2 thoughts on “Writing Your College Essay About Video Games”

This article helped me tremendously, I am very grateful you took the time to write and help many others like me. I would for you to someone else in your league to help me with my college essay. It is due on the 15th, so if you were to get back to me quickly, that would be wonderful.

Hi Azlan! Thanks for the response! It was a pleasure working with you!

Also, apologies! We sent an email but failed to respond in this article’s comment section. For all future applicants seeking services through the comment section, please feel free to request through this comment section or contact us with the link here! https://penningpapers.com/contact/

College Essay Editing Services From Professionals

Best Video Game Essay Topics for Students

Choosing the right essay topic is crucial, and for students who love video games, it’s an opportunity to combine their passion with academics. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of exciting and various video game essay topic ideas for students of high school and college. This blog includes argumentative, analytical, persuasive and other types of essays related to video gaming.

Video Game Essay Topics for High School Students

How Video Games Improve Problem-Solving Skills.
Understanding the World of E-sports.
The Importance of Balanced Gaming Habits.
Exploring the History of Gaming Consoles.
Video Games: Entertainment and Cultural Influence.
Gender Representation in Video Games.
Gamification in Education: Learning through Play.
Game Design and the Art of Video Games.
Tracing the Growth of the Video Game Industry.
Social Connections in Online Gaming Communities.
Video Games and Mental Health Benefits.
Exploring Careers in Game Development.
Ethical Choices in Video Games.
The Impact of Music in Video Games.
Making Video Games Accessible to Everyone.

Video Game Essay Topics for College Students

The Educational Value of Video Games in College Curriculum.
The Growth and Impact of E-sports in the Sports Industry.
Gaming Habits and Academic Performance: A College Study.
Game Engine Comparison: Unity vs. Unreal Engine.
Gender Representation in Video Games: A College Perspective.
Analyzing Game Narrative Structures in Popular Titles.
Moral Choices in Video Games: Implications and Outcomes.
The Psychology of Player Motivation in Gaming.
Virtual Reality in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges.
Career Prospects in Game Development: Paths and Insights.
Ethical Dilemmas in Video Game Content Creation.
The Role of Music and Sound in Video Game Immersion.
Indie Game Development: Innovations and Success Stories.
Video Game Preservation: Saving Gaming History.
AI in Gaming: Enhancing NPC Behavior and Gameplay.

Common Essay Topics Related to Video Games

The Influence of Video Games on Academic Performance.
Video Game Violence: Separating Fact from Fiction.
The History and Evolution of Mobile Gaming.
The Role of Gaming in Building Teamwork and Collaboration.
The Psychology of In-Game Rewards and Achievements.
Virtual Reality (VR) Gaming: A Glimpse into the Future.
Gaming and STEM Education: Learning Science through Games.
The Representation of Diversity in Video Games.
The Impact of In-Game Advertising on Players.
The Benefits of Gaming for Stress Relief and Relaxation.
The Importance of Responsible Gaming.
The Art of Game Mods: Customizing and Enhancing Games.
E-sports Scholarships and Opportunities for Students.
The Environmental Impact of Video Game Consoles.
Gamers for Good: How Gaming Communities Contribute to Charity.

Argumentative Topics for Video Game Essays

Do Violent Video Games Promote Aggressive Behavior in Players?
Should There Be Age Restrictions on Purchasing Violent Video Games?
Are Video Games a Viable Educational Tool in Schools?
Is Video Game Addiction a Real Concern, and How Should It Be Addressed?
Do Video Games Enhance Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills?
Should Parents Be More Involved in Monitoring Their Children’s Gaming Habits?
Is E-sports a Legitimate Sport and Worthy of Recognition?
Does Playing Video Games Improve Hand-Eye Coordination?
Are Video Games a Form of Art, and Should They Be Treated as Such?
Should the Video Game Industry Be Regulated More Strictly for Content?
Do Video Games Have a Positive or Negative Impact on Social Skills?
Is There a Link Between Video Games and Obesity in Children?
Should Professional Gamers Be Considered Athletes and Eligible for Sports Scholarships?
Does Gaming Culture Foster Toxic Behavior and Harassment?
Can Video Games Help Alleviate Stress and Anxiety in Players?

Didn’t find any topic of your interest? No worries! We have listed 100+ Argumentative Essay Topics for Students here, you can go through the article and choose the best one as per your needs. This blog has various niche topics and can assist to find the best one for you.

Informative Video Game Essay Topics

The History of Video Games: From Pong to Present.
A Deep Dive into the World of E-sports.
How Video Games are Made: Game Development Explained.
Exploring Different Genres of Video Games: Action, RPG, Simulation, etc.
The Evolution of Video Game Graphics and Technology.
Iconic Video Game Characters and Their Impact on Pop Culture.
The Science Behind Gaming: How Game Engines Work.
Video Game Consoles: Past, Present, and Future.
The Importance of Storytelling in Video Games.
The Role of Sound Design and Music in Gaming.
The Influence of Video Games on Architecture and Design.
Video Game Streaming and Content Creation: A New Career Frontier.
The Psychology of Gaming: Why We Love Video Games.
The Cultural Significance of Video Game Events and Conventions.
The Rise of Gamification in Education and Training.

Compare & Contrast Video Game Essay Topics

These compare and contrast essay topics are chosen by our experts and are specifically related to video gaming. These are general and easy to write on.

Console Gaming vs. PC Gaming: Which Is Better?
Single-Player vs. Multiplayer Games: Which Do You Prefer?
Mobile Games vs. Console Games: Pros and Cons.
Classic Games vs. Modern Games: What’s Changed?
First-Person vs. Third-Person Shooter Games: Which is More Immersive?
Xbox vs. PlayStation: Comparing Gaming Communities.
Video Games vs. Board Games: Which Provides More Fun?
Old Game Graphics vs. New Game Graphics: A Visual Evolution.
RPGs vs. Action Games: Gameplay Differences.
Retro Games vs. Modern Games: Nostalgia vs. Innovation.
Open-World Games vs. Linear Games: Freedom vs. Guided Storytelling.
Strategy Games vs. Puzzle Games: Challenges in Gaming.
Video Games vs. Movies: Storytelling Approaches.
Online Shooters vs. Battle Royale Games: Teamwork vs. Solo Play.
Exclusive vs. Cross-Platform Games: Your Gaming Options.

Analytical Topics for Video Game Essays

Strategies for Success in Online Multiplayer Games.
Analyzing Game Elements in Role-Playing Games (RPGs).
In-Game Purchases and Their Impact on Player Progress.
The Design of Levels in Platformer Games: A Critical Look.
Difficulty Levels in Video Games: Effects on Player Experience.
The In-Game Economy: How It Works and Influences Players.
The Significance of Tutorial Levels in Game Learning.
Character Development in Video Games: Evolution and Influence.
Linear vs. Non-Linear Storytelling in Video Games.
Morality Systems in Games: Player Choices and Consequences.
AI and Machine Learning in Video Games: Advancements and Applications.
User-Friendly Game Interfaces: Design Principles and Importance.
Game Analytics: Measuring Success in the Gaming Industry.
Visual Design and Its Impact on Player Immersion.
Cultural Adaptation in Video Game Localization.

Persuasive Essay Topics on Video Gaming

Why Schools Should Use Video Games for Learning.
The Importance of Age Ratings in Video Game Sales.
Video Games: Tools for Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills.
How Video Games Can Improve Mental Well-being.
Debunking the Myth: Video Games and Real-Life Violence.
Promoting Diversity in Video Game Characters.
Parents’ Role in Monitoring Kids’ Gaming Habits.
Gamification in Education: Making Learning Fun.
Addressing Video Game Addiction as a Health Issue.
Teamwork and Cooperation in Multiplayer Games.
Ethical Game Development: Fair Monetization Practices.
The Need for More Research on Video Game Violence.
Combatting Toxicity in Online Gaming Communities.
Exploring E-sports Career Opportunities.
Making Video Games Accessible for Everyone.

Best Video Game Essay Topics in 2023

The Impact of Video Games on Society Today.
Gaming and Sustainability: How Can Gamers Go Green?
NFTs in Gaming: What You Need to Know.
Virtual Reality Gaming: The Next Big Thing.
Making Games Accessible for Everyone.
AI’s Role in Video Game Development.
Gaming Habits Post-Pandemic: What’s Changed?
In-Game Advertising: Friend or Foe?
5G Technology and Its Effect on Gaming.
Video Games and Mental Health: A Closer Look.
Augmented Reality Games in Learning and Fun.
Collectibles and In-Game Economies: Explained.
Gaming Across Cultures: Challenges and Solutions.
The Power of Online Gaming Communities.
E-sports: The Future of Competitive Gaming.

These gaming essay topics would surely help you select the best topic of your choice, all various topics are suggested by our qualified experts keeping in mind the capabilities of an average student. If you want to hire our assignment writer for your gaming topics, feel free to reach us and get your essay done by experts.

100+ Best Narrative Essay Topics

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How to Write an Essay about Video Games: Presenting Effective Arguments in Papers

Gaming on video consoles is becoming more and more common. In actuality, the typical gamer plays for roughly six hours each week. There are many who claim that video games are harmful to one’s health since they promote inactive lifestyles like prolonged sitting and isolation from the outside world. On the other hand, some people say that playing video games is a good way to unwind and relax, and they are not wrong. So, what is the real story of video games? Are they good or bad? The controversy of playing video games presents an opportunity for students to either be proponents or antagonists of the issue through essays. Accordingly, this article discusses how a learner can write an essay about video games.

It would be best to do thorough research before writing an essay about video games

Research is often the most challenging aspect of preparing an essay. While writing your video games essay, you’ll have to employ the information you get from research to define video games, describe different genres, and give relevant examples to support your claims. Students must recognize that the amount of research they conduct totally affects how good their essays turn out. Your video game essay will benefit greatly from your careful attention to detail and thorough investigation. Just keep in mind that you are trying to convince your audience to see things from your point of view. This is why having a great deal of background information is essential. Researching your favorite video game would give you an added advantage. Additionally, to support your claims, you must include relevant examples and research-based data.

You should develop an introduction that captures your reader’s interest

The whole point of the opening paragraph is to capture the interest of the audience. To achieve this, it should pose an intriguing topic or provide a contradiction or paradox. You ought to add a good hook to grab the reader’s attention so they can’t help but keep reading your paper. Given that there are numerous motivations for why individuals engage in video games, the introduction is where you have to specify the reasons. Moreover, it would be best to incorporate your thesis statement in the introduction. A thesis statement is basically the writer’s primary concept, summed up in one or a few sentences. A well-formulated thesis statement expresses the work’s central argument in a way that makes sense in light of the inquiry or issue at hand. It would be the correct response to the question, “What is the primary theme of this essay?” from the instructor. Nonetheless, you should perceive your thesis as an opinion that may be debated at any time, rather than an established fact or objective reality. In other words, now is the time to speak your mind regarding the impact of video games on today’s youth.

You must present your arguments in the body paragraphs

The arguments are what learners utilize to support their thesis. A single contention and one or two examples must each have their own paragraph. It would be best to provide your reasoning for your video game position and be sure to explain why you firmly disagree with the opposing viewpoint. Examples include your own experiences and, where appropriate, references to data from studies, forecasts, and statistics. Students should provide answers to contentious topics like “Do video games promote addiction and violence among players?” The arguments you employ ought to back your main point rather than contradict it.

You may offer vivid illustrations as you write an argumentative essay about video games

Learners should offer evocative examples of the genres and video games under consideration. Instead of stressing about whether the material you discover online or the game’s publishers are legit, dedicate yourself to writing a fun and vibrant paper for the person who reads it. This approach piques the audience’s attention and facilitates their comprehension of the argumentative essay about video games. Additionally, these vivid examples assist you in conveying your ideas in a manner that words can’t. Even if you aren’t convinced that your assignment requires an example, using one might perk up your reader and provide your arguments additional weight.

You should write a conclusion for your essay

The last section is meant to sum up the college essay. You may accomplish this by restating the thesis statement and briefly mentioning the arguments you presented in your body paragraphs. This approach will help the audience understand how you systematically addressed the issue and made conclusions. For instance, suppose you had to respond to the question, “Do games negatively affect us?” A topic like that can’t be satisfactorily answered by psychology, particularly when it involves something as novel as video games. Consequently, it is actually way easier to just pick a side and support your position with some research. In the end, your readers don’t expect the argument to be elaborated upon but rather summarized. No new material should be introduced in the last paragraph.

Identifying the sources you employed would be best

When you are writing an essay about video games, it is essential to cite your sources. That means you got to make a list of every resource you used in your paper. References to diverse books, scientific studies, statistical data, and remarks made by well-known experts are acceptable. It would help to make sure your research is from the past five years.

Proofreading is vital for developing a top-notch paper

Students must make sure that their essays about video games have been edited and proofread prior to submission. So basically, you are going to check your assignment for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes. Completing an essay that is free of errors increases a learner’s likelihood of academic success. Here are some tips to help you proofread your work:

Read the text aloud. This will enable you to detect any mistakes.
Take your time proofreading and revising your work. Spend sufficient time on it to ensure you catch any possible oversights.
Concentrate on correcting a single mistake at a time. Avoid the hassle of searching for spelling and grammar mistakes at the same time. Prior to checking for punctuation and spelling problems, you may concentrate on grammatical issues.
You may also create a list of the most typical errors that students make while writing essays, then review your work for each one.

Using these suggestions will guarantee that your essay is devoid of all types of mistakes that might undermine how persuasive your argument is. Alternatively, you can delegate your “ write my essay ” request to online essay writing services like CustomWritings which may allow you to complete a high-quality paper about video games.

Extra tips for presenting better arguments in essays about video games

Today’s youth often engage in video gaming, and this trend will only spread in the coming years. Composing a paper about video games can help you learn more about the subject while also providing readers with information they can utilize in their lives. Just consider the potential for them to be inspired by and gain new knowledge from your essay about video games. Following this article’s recommendations should take you a step closer to achieving your academic goals.

Nick Sinclair

Nick Sinclair, a gaming aficionado since the Commodore 64 era, studied Creative Computer Games Design in university before founding his own gaming company. Discovering a passion for content creation, Nick now helps gamers squeeze every drop of fun out of their favorite gaming hardware

110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples

🔝 top 10 video game topics for 2024, 🏆 best video game topic ideas & essay examples, 🎮 good video game research topics, 🕹️ interesting gaming topics to write about, ❓ video game research questions, ✅ simple & easy video game essay topics.

Looking for video game topics for your project? Look no further! Here, we’ve collected excellent essay topics for true gaming enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for argumentative essay ideas on video games, research topics, or questions for debate, you will find them here.

History of Video Game Consoles
Myths of Video Game Violence
The Global Phenomenon of Esports
VR Gaming and Its Future Possibilities
How Video Games Influence Cognitive Skills
Therapeutic Mental Health Benefits of Video Games
Diversity and Gender Representation in Video Games
How Multiplayer Games Impact Social Interaction
Healthy Gaming Habits Against Video Game Addiction
Aesthetic and Narrative Qualities of Artistic Video Games
Product Life Cycle & Marketing of Video Game Industry One of the most important advantages of the concept of life cycle can be seen in the sphere of marketing, where if used as a tool it allows adjusting the strategies, including marketing, based on […]
Video Game Industry Analysis In 1950, Yamauchi assumed the position of the president in the firm and got on a variety of strategies with the purpose of rationalizing and modernizing the way the firm was controlled.
Video Game Effects: Good or Bad? Given the fact that there is indeed a logically sound rationale to such a suggestion, throughout the course of conducting my study, I remained thoroughly observant of the article’s classification-related suggestions, in regards to the […]
The Monopoly Tycoon Video Game Review The game is stylistically similar to the board game Monopoly, and it can be played both online and offline. It is important to note that the game has a multiplayer feature, which can be played […]
The Video Game Industry Evolution The first mention of the creation of such games dates back to the 1940s, but it was in 1952 that Alexander Shafto “Sandy” Douglas officially presented his dissertation at the University of Cambridge. One of […]
The NASCAR Video Game Project Management Plan The plan attempts to draw the features and gameplay mechanics by replicating the thought process of a potential player. At this stage, the game should be well-advertised and ready for release.
The Motivation of the Video Game Player For instance, the project gave its players the dynamic and fast pace of the game, a vast and detailed map, various locations, several different weapons, and character skins, and this is not all the possibilities.
The “Medal of Honor” Video Game Analysis The game is set to depict the Afghanistan invention in 2002 and the battle between the U.S.military and the Taliban. Due to the close resemblance of the game to the Afghanistan war, the game has […]
Human Life: Video Game, Simulation, or Reality? Drawing parallels between the real and the virtual world, one can admit the unreality of the existence of the planet and people and compare everything that happens with the simulation in which we are.
Does Video Game Violence Lead to Aggression in Children? Among the gaming community, children participate vigorously in absorbing the plethora of entertaining content, including age-restricted ones where the scenes of violence are abundant.
A Role-Playing Video Game Ayiti: The Cost of Life This strategy worked but not to the topmost level simply because the burden of the living cost was gradually weighing down the overall income of my family.
BioWare Video Game Project Management For example, Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment of the company’s flagship series, switched to the Frostbite engine used by most of the EA games and succeeded in delivering the product despite the technical difficulties […]
Video Game History: Overview From the 1990s to Nowadays In addition to arcade car behavior, the game was also famous for its beautiful graphics at the time, with each game in the series being a launch title showing the capabilities of the console.
FIFA 10 Football Simulation Video Game A lack of consistency is evident in the various versions of this game as FIFA 10 played on a PC lacks the realism that is exhibited when the game is played on XBOX 360 and […]
Video Game Delivery Project: Strategic Marketing To initiate strategies in marketing of Video Game, the company will decide to develop a web based application by ABC CORP and this application is customized to meet the requirements of the project. The purpose […]
A Video Game Store’s Business Plan The projected cash flow of the cash in the balance sheet will appear positive for the next five years and will show that the company’s profitability in will be good enough pay for operating expenses […]
The U.S. Video Game Industry This was also based on the views of the company’s developers who assumed that the technological advantages of the the16-bit system were extremely less than that of the 8-bit system.
Video Game Company Against Online Piracy The purpose of the said DRM software is to protect the intellectual rights of the company. The fourth major issue is the encompassing goal of the VGC to end all types of piracy.
Video Game Addiction and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs As to me, I was interested in video games when I was a child because this industry was at its beginning and almost every pupil was involved in it.
Sony and Nintendo in the Video Game Industry The firm has manufactured several generations of the home console since the 1980s, beginning with the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System released in the early 1990s, and the Nintendo 64 that was […]
Twitch.tv and Video Game Streaming Career From this point, in spite of the fact that the Twitch.tv platform can be viewed as belonging to the live-streaming industry, the careers of streamers develop according to the traditional principles of the entertainment business.
Nintendo in the Video Game Industry Previously, Atari was a major power to reckon with in the industry but was later toppled by Nintendo. Part of Yamauchi’s vision was to introduce new and cheaper video games in the market than the […]
Game designers have the responsibility to design less video game Secondly, the outcome of the video game is unpredictable as compared to movie in which the audience can predict the point at which the story would end thus making the video games more interesting to […]
Striving for the Ultimate Knowledge: Eli’s Mission. Video Game Owing to the peculiarities of the movie plot, the game can be shaped in a most intriguing way, with a lot of turns of the plot which lead to the most effective denouement.
Analysis of the Counter-Strike Video Game Phenomenon in Computer Gaming
Comparison of Three Companies in Video Game Industry; Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft
Analysis of Free Will in The Stanley Parable Video Game
Analysis of the Effects of Playing a Video Game Used in Computer Science
Analysis of the Characteristics and Player Statistics of Bungie’s Video Game Destiny
Are Video Games Truly a Game or a Reality?
Analysis of the Topic of the Releases in the Video-Game Industry and the Issues of the Violence
Analysis of the Rise of the Video Game Empire in Modern Society
Two Aspects of Creating a Video Game
Analysis of the Third-Person, Console-Based Video Game, The Last of Us
Are Users The Next Entrepreneurs? A Case Study On The Video Game Industry
Combating Video Game Addiction : A Global Problem
Does Playing Video Game Consoles Bring About Plenty of Advantages?
Analysis of the Field Work Project and the Topic of a Video Game Community
Does Video Game Violence Affect Children?
Do Video Games Contribute For Video Game Violence?
Is The Video Game Industry an Oligopoly?
Is Video Game Violence the Cause of Juvenile Delinquency?
Psychological Effects of Video Game Violence on Children
What Is the Defining Business and Economic Characteristics of the Video Game Console Industry?
Why Play Station 4 and the Xbox One Are the Kings of the Next Generation Video Game Console?
What Makes A Video Game Addictive?
Competition Among 3 Main Video Game Companies: Nintendo, Sega, And Sony
Brief Note On Video Gaming And The Video Game Industry
Effects of Television and Video Game Violence on Children and Teenagers
Analysis of the Different Genres of Video Game Systems for Children
Overview of the Process and Career in Video Game Design
Development of the Elder Scrolls Video Game Series
Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Traditionally Masculine Sports: The Inclusion of Women in FIFA 16 Video Game
Cancer: Video Game and Playing Violent Video
Fighting the Online Video Game Wars in China
Government Regulation Of Video Game Violence Is Unconstitutional And Unnecessary
Japanese video game industry
History of the Video Game Industry
Microsoft Xbox Entering the World of Video Game
The Merchant of Video Games: Adapting the Merchant of Venice into an Adventure Game
What Are Some Revolutionary Breakthroughs in the Video Game Industry?
What Does It Take To Make It in the Video Games Industry?
Why Has the Video Game Industry Exploded Recently?
What Is Wrong With the Video Game Industry in This Generation?
Is the Video Game Industry Going Downhill?
Who Is the Best Voice Actor in the Video Game Industry?
What Will Be the Next Breakthrough or “Big Thing” in the Video Game Industry?
Is the Video Game Industry in Trouble Right Now?
Who Makes More Money: Hollywood or the Video Game Industry?
How Has the Coronavirus Impacted the Video Game Industry?
What Is the Biggest Missed Opportunity Yet in the Video Game Industry?
Does Video Game Violence Induce Negative Affects on Our Youth?
What Are the Changes the Video Game Industry Needs?
How Large Is the Video Game Industry?
Why Is the Video Game Industry in China Dominated by MMOs?
Is There a Bubble Forming in the Video Game Industry?
What Do Video Game Players Understand That Most People Don’t?
How Easy Is It to Make a Video Game?
What’s the Best Advice You’ve Received From a Video Game?
What Was the First Video Game?
What Is the Most Inappropriate Video Game You Know?
What Are the Elements of a Good Video Game?
How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Video Game?
What Can Video Game Consoles Offer You?
Why Video Game Addiction Is One of the Urgent Problems Today?
How Does Science Create Video Game?
How the 1970s Sparked the Video Game Industry?
Why Do Video Game Movies Always Fail?
What’s the Most Popular Video Game Genre?
The Science Behind Brain-Boosting Games
How Gaming Reflects and Influences Society
How Video Games Participate in Social Justice
Pros and Cons of Gamified Fitness and Wellness Apps
Gamification, Its Benefits, and Learning Outcomes
Virtual Goods in Video Games and Their Real-World Value
What Factors Influence Immersion and Player Engagement?
Cloud Gaming and the Potential of Streaming Technology
Market Trends and Revenue Models of the Video Game Industry
Violence, Microtransactions, and Other Ethical Issues in Video Game Development
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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Essay on Video Games

Students are often asked to write an essay on Video Games in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Video Games

Introduction.

Video games are interactive digital entertainment platforms. They are played on devices like computers, consoles, or mobiles.

Types of Video Games

There are many types of video games. Some are educational, others are adventure-based or sports-themed.

Benefits of Video Games

Video games can improve hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking. They can also be a fun way to relax.

Drawbacks of Video Games

Excessive gaming can lead to health issues like eye strain and lack of physical activity. It can also impact social skills if not balanced with real-world interactions.

Video games can be both beneficial and harmful. It’s important to play responsibly and maintain a healthy balance.

Also check:

10 Lines on Video Games

250 Words Essay on Video Games

Video games, a form of interactive entertainment, have evolved dramatically from their rudimentary origins in the 1970s. They have penetrated almost every aspect of modern society, becoming a significant part of our culture and a powerful force in the entertainment industry.

The Evolution of Video Games

In their inception, video games were straightforward, consisting of basic graphics and gameplay. However, as technology advanced, so did the complexity and visual appeal of these games. Today, video games are immersive experiences, boasting high-definition graphics, complex narratives, and intricate gameplay mechanics.

The Impact on Society

Video games have a profound impact on society. They have transformed how we spend our leisure time, and have even created new professions, such as professional e-sports players and game developers. In addition, video games have educational potential, as they can develop problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite their popularity, video games have attracted controversy. Critics argue that they promote violence, addiction, and social isolation. However, research on these issues remains inconclusive, and many argue that the benefits of video games outweigh potential negatives.

In conclusion, video games are a multifaceted phenomenon that has significantly influenced our culture and society. Despite criticisms, their popularity continues to rise, indicating their enduring appeal and potential for future growth. As technology continues to evolve, so too will video games, promising exciting developments for this dynamic medium.

500 Words Essay on Video Games

Video games, a form of digital entertainment that has dramatically evolved over the past few decades, have become a significant part of contemporary culture. They offer a unique blend of interactive storytelling, art, and technology, engaging players in a way that no other medium can. Video games are more than just a pastime; they are a platform for expression, learning, and innovation.

The history of video games is a testament to the incredible technological advancements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. From the rudimentary pixel graphics of the 1970s to today’s immersive virtual reality experiences, video games have continuously pushed the boundaries of what is technologically possible. They have transformed from simple, solitary experiences into complex, social phenomena, connecting people from all walks of life.

The Impact of Video Games

Video games have a significant impact on society, influencing various aspects of our lives. They have revolutionized the entertainment industry, becoming a multi-billion dollar sector that rivals and often surpasses traditional media like film and music. Beyond entertainment, video games have found applications in education, healthcare, and even military training, demonstrating their versatility and potential.

The Benefits and Concerns

Despite the criticisms often associated with video gaming, such as addiction and violence, numerous studies have highlighted the potential benefits. Video games can improve cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and spatial awareness, and can also foster social interaction and cooperation when played in groups. They can serve as therapeutic tools, helping to manage conditions like anxiety and depression. However, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective, acknowledging the potential risks and promoting responsible gaming.

The Future of Video Games

The future of video games is as exciting as it is unpredictable. With emerging technologies like virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and cloud gaming, the possibilities for innovation are limitless. Video games are poised to become even more immersive, interactive, and personalized, offering experiences that were once the stuff of science fiction.

In conclusion, video games are a dynamic and influential part of modern society, reflecting our culture, advancing technology, and impacting various aspects of our lives. They are a testament to human creativity and innovation, offering unique experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue exploring the potential of video games, addressing the challenges they present, and harnessing their power for positive change.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Veterans Day
Essay on Vaping
Essay on Values

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

4 Questions to Ask If You're Considering Writing Your College Essay About Video Games

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University Admissions

Key Takeaway

The two main concerns I hear from students who are considering writing their college essay about video games are that the topic isn’t “academic” enough, and that the admission officer might think video games are a waste of time. I read many essays about video games as an AO for 8 years, and I found some compelling while others missed the mark. Here are four questions to ask if you are considering writing about video games.

A “no” to any of these questions doesn’t mean you can’t write about video games, but you might consider a different topic if at least some of these aren’t true for you:

Is this where I spend most of my time outside of school?

Your personal statement and supplemental essays don’t have to discuss the activity where you spend the most amount of time, but you should consider how many hours per week you spend on different activities. If video games (or any activity) is not at or near the top of this list, consider if there is another impactful activity you might write about that would offer greater insight into who you are.

Is playing video games something I do as part of a community, or solo?

Many gamers find a balance between solo play and playing with friends either in person or online. Some of the more effective college essays about video games discuss the game as engaging with a broader community. This was particularly true during peak COVID shutdowns.

Colleges are looking for students to join their social as well as academic community. Showcasing your community values, leadership, or organizational skills through a gaming community could make your essay more effective.

D o I have an unusually high level of achievement in gaming?

Colleges, especially highly selective ones, love to see students who have achieved success at high levels. This could look like debating in a national competition, winning a prestigious writing competition, or even being internationally ranked in a video game. The higher the impact and level of achievement, the more it pushes the admission office’s ratings of your file.

If you do have an unusually high level of achievement, spell it out for the admission officer! Students often make the mistake of assuming either that their achievement won’t be valued because it is in a video game, or that they can simply state their achievement without contextualizing it. Realize that your admission officer may or may not be familiar with the game, so you’ll want to give them some information to work with.

This could also come in the “additional information” section of the Common App. That’s a great place to add context to parts of your application that don’t fit as naturally in essays or your activities section.

D oes the school I’m applying to have an Esports program? If so, do I want to join?

If you are applying to a college with an Esports program, you already know the school and admission office places some value on competitive gaming. If you are interested in joining and writing a school-specific supplemental essay, you might even mention your intent to join in your essay. Beyond the essay, you might consider reaching out to the Esports coach to learn more about the program and how you might join.

So, do I recommend writing a college essay on video games?

Video games, like most topics, are fair game in your college essay. I think it can be tough to pull off a video game essay, though, given that there is so much nuance to games and you don’t know the level of familiarity your admission officer has.

Will your admission officer know anything about video games? Well, the average age of admission officers on my last campus was about 29. Most officers have some level of familiarity with video games, but you’ll want to make sure you are saying more about yourself than the game.

So, my advice is to focus on yourself, how you contribute to a community, or some extraordinary level of achievement you’ve had. If these don’t sound relevant to you, consider using a different topic.

Regardless of the topic you choose, you’ll want to make sure your essays are part of a larger cohesive narrative in your application. Your transcript and test scores provide the quantitative numbers the admission office needs. But your essays, activities section, and recommendations tell a story.

Create standout essays with some of our other resources. Start with our blogs on writing personal statements and supplemental essays .

If you really want to kick your essays into high gear, we offer an online course, the Essay Academy, where you will find hours of high-quality advice, dozens of examples of essays that worked, and key insights from top admissions offices around the US.

Liked that? Try this next.

How A Selective Admissions Office Reads 50k Applications In A Season

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12 Common App Essay Examples (Graded by Former Admissions Officers)

8 Outstanding UC Essay Examples (Graded by Former Admissions Officers)

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Irena Smith, Former Stanford Admissions Officer

We built the best admissions chancer in the world . How is it the best? It draws from our experience in top-10 admissions offices to show you how selective admissions actually works.

Essays About Video Games: Top 12 Examples and Prompts

Video games have revolutionized the way we have fun today. If you are writing essays about video games, check out our guide to inspire your writing.

Few can contest the fact that video games have taken over the world. From the basic, almost “primitive” games of the 1970s like Pong to the mind-bending virtual reality games of the 2020s, they have been a source of entertainment for all. Moreover, they have proven quite profitable; countries like Japan and the United States have made tens of billions of dollars solely from the video game market.

Despite their popularity, much has been debated over the potentially harmful side effects that video games may have, particularly on children. One side argues that playing certain video games can lead to people exhibiting violence in the future, while others believe that video games teach players essential life skills. Regardless, they will continue to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

For engaging essays about video games, read the essay examples featured below for inspiration.

1. What electronic games can teach us by Kendall Powell

2. designers are imagining video games without guns by keith stuart, 3. playing video games all summer won’t make you feel worse by nicole wetsman, 4. violent video games bad by andrea newman.

5. The health effects of too much gaming by Peter Grinspoon

Writing Prompts For Essays About Video Games

1. video games: good or bad, 2. the benefits of video games, 3. what is your favorite video game, 4. do video games cause people to become violent, 5. video games in your life, 6. video games vs. traditional games, 7. is the video game rating system enough.

“In other studies, researchers found that gamers who trained on Tetris were better at mentally rotating two-dimensional shapes than those who played a control game. Students who played two hours of All You Can E.T., an educational game designed to enhance the executive function of switching between tasks, improved their focus-shifting skills compared with students who played a word search game.”

Powell explains a few possibilities of applying video games to education. As it turns out, certain video games can improve players’ skills, depending on the mechanics. Researchers are inspired by this and hope to take advantage of the competitive, motivational nature of gaming to encourage children to learn. New games are designed to help kids improve their focus, coordination, and resilience, and game designers hope they will succeed.

“Imagine a game where you’re a war reporter seeking to capture the most iconic, representative images in a battle environment: You’d still get the sense of peril that audiences expect from action adventures, but your relationship with the environment would be more profound. It would be Call of Duty from the perspective of a creative participant rather than a violent interloper.”

The graphic nature of some video games is said to make kids violent, so it is only natural that some creators try to change this. Stuart writes that it is possible to maintain the fun that shooter-type games induce without using guns. He gives examples of games where you do not kill your enemy, simply stunning or capturing them instead. He also suggests photography as an alternative to killing in a “shooting” game. Finally, he suggests basing video games around helping others, making friends, and doing more peaceful, creative tasks.

“Any role video games play in skewing well-being that did pop up in the study was too small to have a real-world impact on how people feel, the authors said. People would have to play games for 10 more hours per day than their baseline to notice changes in their well-being, the study found.”

Wetsman counters the widespread belief that video games “destroy your brain.” Research done with a sample of 39,000 players over six weeks has shown that whether one plays video games for long or short periods, their mental health is not impacted much. There are some exceptions; however, there are not enough to conclude that video games are, in fact, harmful.

“Some people believe that the connection between violent games, and real violence is also fairly intuitive. In playing the games kids are likely to become desensitized to gory images;which could make them less disturbing, and perhaps easier to deal with in real life. While video games aren’t about violence their capacity to teach can be a good thing.”

In her essay, Newman writes about the supposed promotion of violence in some video games. However, she believes this violence does not cause people to be more aggressive later. Instead, she believes these games expose children to certain atrocities so they will not be traumatized if they see them in real life. In addition, these games supposedly promote connections and friendships. Finally, Newman believes that these “harmful” can make you a better person.

5. The health effects of too much gaming by Peter Grinspoon

“Gamers need to be educated on how to protect their thumbs, wrists, and elbows, their waistlines, their emotional state, their sleep, and their eyes. Simple education around taking breaks, stretching, eating healthy snacks, and resting and icing your thumb, wrist, or elbow when it starts hurting can address injuries early, before they become significant. For the eyes, gamers can try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, try to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.”

Grinspoon discusses both the benefits and the health risks of gaming. Video games allow people to interact with each other remotely and bond over specific missions or tasks, and some research shows that they have cognitive benefits. However, some gamers may develop vision problems and hand and wrist injuries. Gaming and “staring in front of a screen the whole day” is also associated with obesity. Overall, Grinspoon believes that gaming is best done in moderation.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about hobbies .

Many parents believe that their children’s “bad behavior” is because of video games. Based on your experience and others, decide: are video games good or bad for you? Make sure to read viewpoints from both sides and write an essay based on your position. Would you encourage others to play video games? Discuss these pros and cons for an interesting argumentative essay.

Like anything else, video games have both positive and negative aspects. Explain the good that video games can do for you: the skills they can equip you with, the lessons they can teach, and anything else. Also, include whether you believe their benefits outweigh the disadvantages they may pose.

For your essay, write about your favorite video game and why you chose it. What is its meaning to you, and how has it affected your life? Describe the gameplay mechanics, characters, storyline, and general impact on the gaming community or society. You can write about any game you want, even if you have not played it; just ensure the content is sufficient.

Many claim that playing violent video games can make you violent in the future. Research this phenomenon and conclude whether it is true or not. Is the evidence sufficient? There are many resources on this topic; support your argument by citing credible sources, such as news articles, statistics, and scientific research.

Video games have been a part of almost all our lives. Recall a treasured experience with video games and explain why it is significant. How old were you? Why do you remember it fondly? How did this experience make you feel? Answer these questions in your own words for an exciting essay.

Essays About Video Games: Video games vs. Traditional games

There are stark differences between video and traditional games, such as board games and card games. For an engaging essay, compare and contrast them and write about which is more entertaining, in your opinion. Be creative; this should be based on your own opinions and ideas.

The video game content rating system is used to classify video games based on their appropriateness for specific ages. However, parents complain that they are not strict enough and allow the display of violent content to children. Explore the criteria behind the rating system, decide whether it needs to be changed or not, and give examples to support your argument.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can my passion for video games shine through in my college essay.

Video games have been a huge part of my life, teaching me about storytelling and even coding. Do you think this could make for a compelling college essay, or should I avoid it since it might not be seen as 'serious' enough?

Absolutely! Your passion for video games can definitely be a compelling topic for a college essay. The key is not the subject itself, but how you reflect on your experiences and what you've learned from them. It's all about presenting your story authentically and showing how video games have shaped you into the person you are today. Discuss how storytelling in games has deepened your understanding of narrative structure or how coding in the context of gaming has sparked a passion for technology. These are serious and relevant topics. For example, one of my students wrote an essay detailing how solving puzzles in video games enhanced their problem-solving skills, and it was very well received by admissions committees. Just be sure to focus on the personal growth aspect and what you've taken away from your experiences with video games, rather than merely describing your interest. Colleges are always on the lookout for students who are self-aware and able to learn and grow from their interests.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Nursing — Video Games Thesis Statement

Video Games Thesis Statement

Categories: Nursing Video Games

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

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Chatfield, S., Nolan, R., Crawford, J., & Hallam, J. (2016). Factors affecting adherence to hand hygiene in nursing: A systematic review. Journal of Hospital Infection, 92(4), 305-314.Gould, D. J., Moralejo, D., Drey, N., & [...]

As I have grown from a nurse into the nurse practitioner role my personal nursing philosophy has shifted and also grown over the years. My philosophy of nursing is centered around the metaparadigm of nursing concepts (Kenney, [...]

In the ever-evolving field of nursing, understanding the metaparadigm is essential for providing effective and holistic care to patients. Fawcett's Metaparadigm Summary offers a comprehensive framework that encompasses the core [...]

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How student-designed video games made me rethink how I teach history

Professor of History, The University of Texas at Austin

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Imagine you’re a young samurai in Japan in 1701. You have to make a difficult choice between an impoverished life in exile, or the prospect of almost certain death while trying to avenge the death of your dishonored lord. Which do you choose?

“ Ako: A Tale of Loyalty ,” a video game built in 2020, takes players along a difficult journey through early modern Japan filled with decisions like this one. It’s become an essential component of my classes on Japanese history, but it wasn’t developed by a professional game studio. Instead, it was created by a team of four undergraduate history majors with no specialized training.

Loading screen for black-and-white video game

Designing a video game may seem like a strange assignment for a humanities classroom, but as a professor who teaches a range of courses in East Asian history I have found that such exercises provide an engaging learning experience for students while also generating new educational content that can be widely shared.

The gaming revolution

Nearly two-thirds of American adults play video games, and that figure rises steadily each year. Fueled by stay-at-home orders and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, global gaming sales rose to nearly US$180 billion in 2020.

Among university students, video games are utterly pervasive . When I ask my classes who consumes video game content, either as a player or via streaming services like Twitch , it’s rare that a single student’s hand is not raised.

Schools and colleges have rushed to respond to these trends. Programs like Gamestar Mechanic or Scratch help K-12 students learn basic coding skills, while many universities, including my own, have introduced game design majors to train the next generation of developers.

History professors, however, have been slower to embrace video games as teaching tools. Part of the problem is that the historical content contained within games is often, with some exceptions , repetitive and superficial.

While there are many games focused on Japanese history, for example, the majority reinforce the same tired image of the heroic warrior bound by the rigid code of “bushidō,” a code that scholars have shown had very little to do with the daily life or conduct of most samurai.

Designing humanities games

In 2020, I asked four undergraduate history majors to design a fully functional video game with a clear educational payoff built around a controversial episode in Japanese history.

I was motivated by two ideas. First, I wanted to move beyond a standard reliance on academic essays. While I still assign essays, many students find them fairly passive exercises which don’t stimulate deep engagement with a topic.

Second, I was convinced that university professors need to get into the business of producing games content. To be clear, we’re not going to design anything even close to what comes out of professional studios. But we can produce compelling games that are ready to be used both in colleges and – equally important – K-12 classrooms, where teachers are always looking for vetted scholarly content. A conventional academic essay is intended for just one person, the professor. But a video game produced by a group of committed undergraduates can be played by thousands of students at different institutions.

Video game artwork of two Japanese women

At first, I worried the task I had set was too big and the technological barriers too high. None of the four team members was enrolled in a video game design program or had specialized training. It quickly became clear that such fears were overblown.

The team decided to work on a visual novel game, a genre that originated in Japan and can best be described as interactive stories. The design process for such games is facilitated by programs such as Ren’Py , which streamline development.

Learning by design

The team’s first task was to design a believable central character. Successful games push players to emotionally invest in their characters and the choices they make. In the case of “Ako,” the design team created a young samurai named Kanpei Hashimoto who was grounded in the period but also easy to relate to as a young person struggling to find his way in a complex world.

From there, the team created branching storylines punctuated by clear decisions. In total, “Ako” has five possible outcomes depending on the choices a player makes. Numerous smaller decisions along the way open up additional ways to navigate the game.

The next step was dialogue. A typical academic essay is around 2,500 words, and students often complain about how difficult it is to fill the required pages. In contrast, the “Ako” team wrote over 30,000 words of dialogue. It required extensive research. What would a samurai family have eaten for breakfast? How much did it cost to buy a “kaimyō,” or posthumous Buddhist name, for a deceased parent? How long did it take to make the oiled paper umbrellas , called “wagasa,” that many poor samurai sold to survive?

Finally, the students developed historically accurate artwork. The game has four chapters with 30 background images and 13 characters. Making sure everything was consistent with this period in Japanese history was a huge undertaking that stretched both me and the students.

Ultimately, the team learned more about samurai life and early modern Japan than any group of students I had worked with across a single semester. They read a dizzying array of books and articles while working and reworking the overall design, dialogue and artwork. And they succeeded in developing a fully functional video game that has already been used in other classrooms across the country.

Most importantly, I believe their experience provides a template for how student-designed video games can transform the humanities classroom.

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THE CONCEPT OF DOTA 2

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How to write College Essays about Video Games like Minecraft

Writing your College Essay about Video Games

Video games are one of many topics on which you can write an essay. A video game is an electronic game. The player interacts with a user interface to receive visual feedback on a video device.

Video games are becoming more popular these days. And, more children are joining the craze of playing them.

The gaming business must conduct a thorough investigation and develop more inventive and useful games. It is essential to have games that bring good to future generations and prevent harm and behavioral pattern changes.

However, it isn’t advisable to use a video game essay to write your college application .

As you may be aware, most schools, including leading public universities use the holistic admissions approach. It means that admissions officers will consider the applicant’s accomplishments in addition to their GPA and test scores.

And, as you might expect, an app that focuses solely on your gaming prowess will likely work against you, limiting your options significantly.

Why is Video Games a Good Topic for College Essay

Video games are the current craze, and people of all ages enjoy them. Playing video games may enhance visual abilities and cognitive function.

Video games can also help people become more spatially aware.

When a person’s eyes concentrate on a video game, they are more likely to have various eye strengths following brain training.

Action video games teach the brain how to handle visual information more efficiently. When people play action video games, they alter the visual processing pathway in their brain.

Video games can modify brain functioning. According to new research, video games can be helpful for therapeutic purposes, stress relief, exercise, positive interactive learning, weight loss, and various patient therapy for individuals worldwide.

On the other hand, harmful computer games have captured the media. Every channel now deems it their responsibility to educate people about the harm that games may bring to children and adults. The growing number of games with violent sequences irritates society and makes it acutely aware of them. Violent video games cause people to become violent.

The vast majority of people do not even question this truth. Everyone else claims that the cause is that games are too close to reality.

There is a common belief that video games normalize violent behavior in the player and make the player pitiless. In this situation, the game is the source of violence. The act of violence is due to the game.

A psychologically healthy individual will never mix these two worlds or connect them. A game is a virtual environment with visual images similar to real life.

These graphics are nothing more than simple game obstacles on their own. A game may provide the possibility to “destroy the obstacles” that are not allowed to be destroyed by the rules.

Yet, it is more a matter of personal preference whether or not to do so. As a result, we might conclude that violence is not an outcome but a cause.

Naturally, violent people may become frustrated by games and act violently in the “real world.” However, in such a case, the game violence is simply a projection of the player’s aggressive personality.

How to Write a College Essay about Video Games

An essay on this topic will assist you in demonstrating a different perspective while also delivering vital information. It would be a terrific topic if you could provide a unique perspective on your function as a game leader.

Simply ensure that your links are distinct. If you write it in a way that is particular to you, you should be fine.

1. Describe your Role

Many of these games are more complicated than most adults believe.

However, someone who has never done anything like this before may experience a challenge grasping the notion.

Be specific but concise, and keep the details to yourself. Gather information from your friends, as many are interested in this type of gaming.

2. Highlight key Points

You can talk to them about the most crucial points in your paper. Be realistic when writing, even if you disagree with the facts.

There will be instances when you have to recognize that games are not always appropriate. Present some of the benefits, even if adults find them harmful.

3. Use Statistics

Many video games can be beneficial if people use them moderately. When you want to make a point, use statistics. If you use official statistics and graphs, you will appear more trustworthy.

Examine the topic from a variety of angles. You can discuss the concept of instructional video games that are more appropriate for young children and teenagers.

4. Show the Benefits to Children

Is this beneficial to kids who suffer from anxiety or depression? Remember the influence of the media on the video game industry.

Video games are produced and sold with the financial might of some of the world’s most powerful corporations.

Learn how to write a college essay on Music

How to Write College Essay about Minecraft

Minecraft is a popular video game among both kids and adults. Minecraft has grown in popularity because it fosters creativity and adventure.

It has many servers open to the public, allowing you to play with people from all over the world. Players employ blocks to build structures and worlds.

1. Examine the Diverse Angles

You can discuss the game from a variety of angles. The game’s popularity continues to rise at a quick rate.

Thousands of people buy the game daily, and millions have it.

What aspects of the game contribute to or make it appealing to both youngsters and adults? Minecraft is a user-friendly video game where players construct construction and planets out of bricks.

2. Touch on Benefits

Children can use their imaginations by allowing creativity in video games like Minecraft. In real life, most children do not have the opportunity to build castles, zoos, or other similar structures.

Minecraft’s creative mode, on the other hand, allows children to create worlds. You can highlight the opportunity to learn how to survive via hunting, building shelters, and fending off monsters and mobs. It is another component of the game’s creative use of inventiveness.

3. Ideal Players

Minecraft is the ideal game for anyone who enjoys being creative. It features an extensive server network that allows you to play with people from all around the world.

Minecraft has grown in popularity due to its appeal to gamers of all ages. Its numerous player options offer players the impression that they can do and be whatever they want at any time.

How to Write a League of Legends College Essay

League of Legends is a free-to-play game of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre. This popular and competitive online game pits two teams against one another vying for a map.

Players select champion characters with vastly varied abilities and team up to defeat a group of other players.

1. Give an Overview of the Benefits

League of Legends is a game that teaches players how to work together as a team. Gaming has evolved, motivating people to push themselves beyond their comfort zones or become better versions of themselves.

Video games provide players the courage to move forward in their own life by telling them about their characters’ hardships, pain, survival, and dreams.

2. Describe the Skill Set

League of Legends is an excellent positive psychology tool since it requires players to use critical thinking abilities. Because it is an online game, parents should monitor their children’s interactions with other players.

League of Legends is only advised for youth 14 and up due to moderate fantasy violence, blood-like images, online interactions, and the game’s complexity.

3. Explain the Benefits to Children

You can describe the benefits the game offers children who require assistance with planning by creating a logical approach to goal-setting and achievement.

It can also enhance flexibility by helping with adapting and adjusting to new circumstances and expectations. Moreover, all players develop self-awareness and social abilities by understanding their ideas, feelings, and behaviors.

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"Video games have cultivated my creative thought pr..."

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2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

0 - 350 words

Video games have cultivated my creative thought process. When I was a toddler I invented a game I would play with my brothers. It was nothing along the lines of Hide-and-Seek or Tag, but rather, it was meant to mimic a role-playing video game. It was called "Guy" and came with its own story, leveling system, and narrative story. While seemingly impossible to translate the mechanics of a video game into real life, the "Guy" trilogy provided hundreds of hours of fun to pass hot summer days and escape the harsh reality of our parents arguing and eventual divorce.

This thought process translated into my educational career. have always thought of a tough class or test as a video game. This mostly due to my excessive amounts of video games I played as a child through middle school (especially 7th grade). Each year comes bigger and "stronger" challenges, bigger and stronger bosses to defeat. My senior year will have me face the most powerful boss yet; full AP course load on top of heavy club involvement and community college classes.

Many thought of this "secret boss" as an impossible challenge; something that could never be beaten. No one from my school has ever attempted to take on such a challenge, let alone defeat it. That is probably what excites me about it. In a game, messing around with lower level enemies is fun for a while, but gets boring when it is too easy. The thought of a challenge so great and difficult makes the victory even more rewarding. Stormy skies, heavy rain, and epic boss battle music; I'll take that over a peaceful village any day. In the future, I seek to use this thinking to drive research. I think of abstract physics concepts like secret door and levels that need to be proven true or just a myth in the game. One day, I can make my own discovery of a secret "cheat code' that can help everyone who plays a little game called life.

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Interesting College Essay Topics: Video Games & Esports Part 1

Updated: Jul 12, 2023

I'm a nerd, let's get that out of the way. I grew up immersed sci-fi, fantasy, movies, television shows, anime, video games, board games, tabletop games, and even read certain textbooks for fun (still do, looking at you A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to The Present ). My childhood pre-dated critically and commercially acclaimed comic book movies, the ability to make a living by streaming video games online, and the widespread adoption of video games for everyday audiences (think mobile phone games, or the Nintendo Wii in the mid-2000s). To put it simply, it's a lot easier to openly embrace nerdy culture now than it was during my childhood.

The social stigma and ostracization of being a "nerd" led me to hide many of my hobbies and interests from friends and family for most of my life. Sadly, I still hear echoes of these feelings in students I work with today. It's not uncommon to hear a student say, "It's easier to just say nothing than try to explain my interests, hobbies, or passions." This breaks my heart, and for this reason I've become more open about my nerdy side and encourage students to do the same.

So what does all this have to do with the college search and application process? As an admission officer and a college counselor, I've read too many essays and applications focusing on students telling me what they think I want to hear. What they don't realize is that the thing I want to read about is an authentic, introspective, and self-aware portrait of who they are as a person. Families tend to reinforce this censorship of a students personality, often both knowingly and unknowingly. We all see the stories of the 4.0 GPA, 1550 SAT, honor society student and that's what has become the standard of success. What most families don't see, but I have, is the student with an average GPA and test score that can successfully articulate why they actually participate in extracurriculars; explain their values; describe what problems they want to solve in the world; and write a unique essay that reflects who they are as a person, not just what they've accomplished. I've read thousands of essays by this point in my relatively young career, and the handful that have stuck with me had nothing to do with the students' grades, test scores, or accomplishments.

So, over the next few blog posts, I want to write about a topic that seems to grow more common each year I work with students and families: video games. It's a tale as old as the ~1980s: a parent is concerned because their student is spending too much time playing video games and not engaging with the world. I'll be the first to concede that not all students who play video games should be writing a college essay about them, and sometimes video games are just a temporary escape from the stress of life (same as movies, television, books, and any number of other hobbies). However, I'm going to posit the idea that there are a lot of students out there who have a true passion for video games and, with a little introspection, can turn that passion into a powerful asset for their college application.

During this multi-part college essay blog series, I'm going to review a few different ways to tackle the topics of video games:

The Personal Impact of Video Games

Artistic, Emotional, or Developmental Impact of a Single Player Game ( You Are Here )

Impact of a Competitive Multiplayer Game

Impact of a Social or Cooperative Multiplayer Game

The Impact of Video Games on a Student's Professional or Academic Path

Video Games as a Catalyst for Pursuing a STEM Education

Video Games as an Interdisciplinary Collaborative

As a reader, I want you to keep in mind two more universally understood concepts into which we can distill these essays:

An introspective look into how a form of culture has shaped a student's ideas, beliefs, values, and personality.

An introspective look into how a student began a journey to help shape others through the act of creation or innovation.

Yes you, the person reading this blog!

I want you to stop everything that you are doing (including reading this blog) and sit silently thinking about something for at least 30 seconds:

I want you to think about a piece of culture that helped make you who you are today. This can be a piece of music, a movie, a book, a video game, a family tradition, or even a story passed down generation to generation.

Let's go.

Ok, now that we've all had our small serving of guided mediation for the day, let's continue forward. I will start by sharing what first came to my mind:

The year is 1999, I'm wandering up and down the stacks at my local Movie Gallery. I'm still young, only seven, but trips to Movie Gallery have become significant to me because they mean either a new video game in which I can escape reality OR a new movie that will create a short, but much-needed, moment of "family time" in the household. As I lurk through the copious VHS tapes and video game cartridges, a holographic shine catches my young eye and I am introduced to an unknown movie called Princess Mononoke. On the cover, a young man clashes holographic pearly swords with an unknown enemy and in bold letters at the top it reads:

One of Roger Ebert's Top 10!

"The Star Wars of Animated Features"

-New York Post

Now that's a lot for a seven-year-old. As much as I'd like to claim I was some young cinephile and the prospect of an animated film on "Roger Ebert's Top 10" motivated my selection, that would be a lie. The selection process was much simpler: I like Star Wars, the blades on the front of the tape shined like light sabers, the cover mentioned Star Wars and animated films, thus I thought I had discovered a Star Wars animated movie. I had no idea that this movie would become my favorite film of all time and a defining cornerstone of the person I would grow to be.

Now I don't want to give away much of the movie, as I believe every person should at least give it a chance (Disney has bought the rights for physical distribution and HBO Max has it available for streaming). The film focuses on a young prince from a small village of a disenfranchised ethnic minority. He is magically cursed defending his village from a monster and must be excommunicated and travel westward to find peace between an expanding industrious humanity and a spiritually rich forest full of ancient animals (the most literal man vs. nature theme one can think of). It is a film that deals with coming of age themes, confronting stereotypes, the relationship of humanity and nature, the idea of early religion, themes of racism, sexism, disenfranchisement, environmental issues, the all-consuming power of greed, discovering compromises between opposing ideologies, determination, grit, bravery, and sacrifice. Good and evil are not so clear-cut, rather they are ambiguous and exist on a spectrum with a tremendous amount of overlap (much like life). As a child being raised by a single mother, perhaps one of the most important aspects of the film was the multitude of strong, smart, and capable female characters which defied the "damsel in distress" archetype seen in most children movies. Growing up, this film became an integral piece in forming my sense of ethics, morality, values, and who I wanted to be in the world.

I present this exercise because I could easily write a book about the impact this movie has had in my life. More often than not, proper guidance, support, and an attentive ear can shepherd students to discover or expand upon their own piece of cultural media that has helped shape them in some way.

If any of this sounds remotely interesting, look into the rest of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's filmography [aside from Princess Mononoke , I'd also highly recommend the 2003 Academy Award Winning Best Animated Feature Spirited Away ). Many critics hail Miyazaki as the "Walt Disney of Japan," but I think this is underselling his works (not to mention the problematic nature of forcing a comparison of an Eastern animator to a Western animator to give him legitimacy to international audiences....).

Artistic, Emotional, or Developmental Impact of a Single Player Game

The story begins during a global pandemic. A single father and daughter are attempting to escape Austin, TX as society begins to collapse into chaos. The plan fails, the father is injured, and the daughter is killed. Fast forward 20 years: the father is weathered, downtrodden, and hides his deep-seated emotional trauma and guilt behind a gruff persona who uses survival as a justification for his extreme, violent, and criminal actions. Once a construction worker, he now works as a smuggler bypassing government quarantine measures to transport goods for payment. His life is devoid of joy, filled with savagery, and ultimately without any hope for a brighter future. This all changes when he is tasked with smuggling a 14-year old girl out of Boston to a research facility in Colorado, because her immune system might hold the secret for a vaccine. So begins an extended journey across the United States, where the father must confront his repressed guilt for his daughter's death, come to terms with his history of violence, and restore his faith in the possibility of a brighter future.

No, I'm not describing the newest Oscar-nominated drama or popular indie film from SXSW. This isn't the description of the hottest new post-apocalyptic young adult novel sweeping the nation. This is a rudimentary description of The Last of Us (2013), arguably one of the most critically and commercially acclaimed single-player video games of the past decade, developed by the gaming studio Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment on their popular PlayStation videogame consoles. The game is emotionally powerful, performances are sublime (both voice acting and motion capture), Guastavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain, Babel, Making a Murderer, Jane the Virgin) composes a harrowing and heartfelt soundtrack, and the writing is top-notch from beginning to end. In fact, HBO is currently developing a The Last of Us television series written by Neil Druckman (writer/director of the video game) and Craig Mazin (HBO's Chernobyl) starring Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, Hilda). When I think of a game that can create a personal impact on a person through storytelling, it's hard to think of a better example than The Last of Us.

( UPDATE 2023 : For those interested, HBO has premiered The Last of Us (2023) beginning with the first episode on January 15, 2023. The premiere of the show received a staggering 4.7 million viewers and within two days of release reached nearly 10 million viewers. The show is also looking to be critical success with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 99%, 9.4/10 on IMDb, and a 95% positive ration among Google users. Needless to say, as a fan of television and video games I'm very pleased to see such an amazing story be brought to life for a larger audience. I've added an additional photo below to showcase Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as their respective roles in the show compared with their characters in the image below. )

When writing about the artistic, emotional, or developmental impact of a video game, the essay is going to focus on bridging the experience of a video game with its personal impact on a student. In this scenario, it is important to remember that the video game is not the star of this essay. Instead, a student needs to dig deep and find a meaningful connection with the video game and how it has helped them grow and develop as a person. Even then, a student will need to go a step further and not only talk about how this development is connected to a video game, but how they have adopted, adapted, and integrated those thoughts, lessons, and beliefs into their everyday life . This is the time when a student will need to provide evidence of this personal impact through examples in their life: academics, extracurriculars, life lessons, meaningful hobbies, important relationships with friends/family, etc. Lastly, the student needs to be mindful of how their growth and experience will impact their future, especially when thinking about their participation on a college campus, and their academic, professional, and life goals.

By the end of this essay, the student has displayed their way of thinking, level of introspection, journey in forming their beliefs/values, and ultimately connected the video game to how they live their life and what they hope to accomplish. Here are some suggestions for outlining this type of essay:

What is the history of the student with the video game?

When did the student make this connection?

What was going on in the student's life at this time?

Why did this particular video game affect them on a personal level?

How has the video game impacted them on a personal level?

How has a student taken this impact and integrated it into their life, beliefs, value system, etc.?

Moving forward, how has and how will the student take agency of this impact and affect the world around them (e.g. their school, community, family, friends, clubs, organizations, etc.).

I hope that after reading this students feel a little more empowered to be vocal about their passions and families feel a little more comfortable with the prospect of their student writing about the personal impact a video game might have had on them. In part 2, we'll take a look at how a student can take their experience from competitive multiplayer games and turn them into an interesting essay topic.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on this blog post series and receive free monthly newsletters about higher education and college admissions news and advice. As always, if you have questions or a topic you'd like to hear more about, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

With all my support,

Sawyer Earwood

Independent College Counselor

Co-Founder of Virtual College Counselors

[email protected]

College Admissions
College Essay Collection
Independent College Advising

Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest.

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application. The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information.

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
Be age 16 or older.
Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

2023 Winners

High school:.

Amyrrean Acoff
Leon Aldridge
Kharis Andrews
Colton Collier
Indya Griffin
Christopher Hak
Aquil Hayes
Jayden Haynes
McKenna Jodoin
Paris Kelly
Liza Latimer
Dylan Lodle
Anna Mammarelli
Karrington Manley
Marcellus Odum
Gautami Palthepu
Melody Small
Lauryn Tanner
Joshua Wilson
Mohamed Ali
Kayla Bellamy
Lauren Boxx
Alexandria Brown
Samuel Brown
Thurston Brown
Conner Daehler
Tsehai de Souza
Anjel Echols
Samarion Flowers
Trinity Griffin
Kristina Hilton
Ryan Jensen
Miracle Jones
Shaniece McGhee
Chelby Melvin
Lamiya Ousley
Kiera Phillips
Gabrielle Pippins
Ethan Snead
Sydney Springs
Kirsten Tilford
Tamira Weeks
Justin Williams

2022 Winners

Paul Aucremann
William Booker
Robyn Cunningham
Kani'ya Davis
Oluwatomi Dugbo
Lillian Goins
Parker Hall
Collin Hatfield
Gabrielle Izu
Kylie Lauderdale
Jacob Milan
Jackson Mitchell
Carmen Moore
Madison Morgan
Kaden Oquelí-White
Kaylin Parks
Brian Perryman
De'Marco Riggins
Brianna Roundtree
Sydney Russell
Carlie Spore
Morgan Standifer
Ionia Thomas
Ramaya Thomas
Jaylen Toran
Amani Veals
Taylor Williams
Alana Wilson
Taryn Wilson
Aryaunna Armstrong
Hannah Blackwell
T'Aneka Bowers
Naomi Bradley
Arianna Cannon
Taylor Cline
Catherine Cummings
Margaret Fitzgerald
Chloe Franklin
Camryn Gaines
Thomas Greer
Kayla Helleson
Veronica Holmes
Logan Kurtz
Samuel Lambert
Jaylon Muchison
Teresa Odom
Andrew Payne
Carey Price
Emily SantiAnna
Curtis Smith
Jered Smith
Mariah Standifer
Maura Taylor
Anna Wilkes

Kevin garnett, paul pierce weigh in on nil's impact on the college game, share this article.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is over, UConn the champs, and most of the college basketball world now focused on the 2024-25 season ahead. But perhaps more than ever, the impact of the “name, image, likeness” rules that allow college players to make money off of endorsements.

Known more commonly as NIL, the change in how the NCAA game works in terms of compensation has had some major impacts on the college game. And not all bad, either. But can this band-aid fix a more substantial issue of athlete compensation at the college level? Or will so-called “student athletes” end up getting paid outright?

To talk over what NIL means for the college game and the wider world of basketball, Boston Celtics Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett recently weighed in on the phenomenon on a recent episode of the “Ticket and the Truth” podcast.

Check it out above for yourself!

Listen to the “ Celtics Lab ” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Follow all of your favorite New England teams at Celtics Wire and Patriots Wire !

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Boston College vs. Denver Frozen Four championship game time, TV channel, streaming info

No. 1 seed Boston College and No. 3 Denver are tied for the most NCAA Division I men's college hockey titles since the turn of the century with four apiece.

Saturday, one of them will skate away with another title when they face each other in the championship game of the Frozen Four.

Denver has the most recent championship, winning in 2022. It beat Massachusetts, Cornell and Boston University in this year's tournament. Boston College, which last won in 2012, knocked off Michigan Tech, defending champion Quinnipiac and Michigan to reach the final.

Denver won 4-3 in overtime when the teams played in October.

Here's what to know about Saturday's NCAA championship game:

When is the NCAA Frozen Four championship game?

Boston College and Denver will play in the championship game at 6 p.m. ET Saturday.

Where is the NCAA Frozen Four being held?

The championship game will be at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

How can I watch the NCAA Frozen Four championship game on TV?

The game will be shown on ESPN2.

How can I live stream the NCAA Frozen Four championship game?

The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

What to know about Boston College and Denver

Boston College (34-5-1) has five titles. It has four of the NCAA's top six scorers, led by Will Smith (71 points), a San Jose Sharks draft pick. He had two goals in the 4-0 win against Michigan and two goals in the October loss to Denver. Cutter Gauthier, an Anaheim Ducks prospect, scored against Michigan to give him 65 points. He was voted top forward as the USA won gold at the world junior championships and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award ( won by Boston University's Macklin Celebrini ). Freshman goalie Jacob Fowler was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award ( won by Wisconsin netminder Kyle McClellan ).

Denver (31-9-3) has nine titles. It has Division I's top offense, averaging 4.65 goals per game to BC's 4.58. Leading scorer Jack Devine averages 1.3 points per game and had two assists against Boston University, including on Carter King's overtime goal. High-scoring defenseman Zeev Buium (49 points) was rated among the top North American draft prospects in NHL Central Scouting's midseason rankings.

🏀 College careers of Team USA

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💯 Fever draft Caitlin Clark No. 1 overall

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Guest Essay

The Troubling Trend in Teenage Sex

A pile of bed linens on a night stand next to a bed.

By Peggy Orenstein

Ms. Orenstein is the author of “Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent and Navigating the New Masculinity” and “Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape.”

Debby Herbenick is one of the foremost researchers on American sexual behavior. The director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University and the author of the pointedly titled book “Yes, Your Kid,” she usually shares her data, no matter how explicit, without judgment. So I was surprised by how concerned she seemed when we checked in on Zoom recently: “I haven’t often felt so strongly about getting research out there,” she told me. “But this is lifesaving.”

For the past four years, Dr. Herbenick has been tracking the rapid rise of “rough sex” among college students, particularly sexual strangulation, or what is colloquially referred to as choking. Nearly two-thirds of women in her most recent campus-representative survey of 5,000 students at an anonymized “major Midwestern university” said a partner had choked them during sex (one-third in their most recent encounter). The rate of those women who said they were between the ages 12 and 17 the first time that happened had shot up to 40 percent from one in four.

As someone who’s been writing for well over a decade about young people’s attitudes and early experience with sex in all its forms, I’d also begun clocking this phenomenon. I was initially startled in early 2020 when, during a post-talk Q. and A. at an independent high school, a 16-year-old girl asked, “How come boys all want to choke you?” In a different class, a 15-year-old boy wanted to know, “Why do girls all want to be choked?” They do? Not long after, a college sophomore (and longtime interview subject) contacted me after her roommate came home in tears because a hookup partner, without warning, had put both hands on her throat and squeezed.

I started to ask more, and the stories piled up. Another sophomore confided that she enjoyed being choked by her boyfriend, though it was important for a partner to be “properly educated” — pressing on the sides of the neck, for example, rather than the trachea. (Note: There is no safe way to strangle someone.) A male freshman said “girls expected” to be choked and, even though he didn’t want to do it, refusing would make him seem like a “simp.” And a senior in high school was angry that her friends called her “vanilla” when she complained that her boyfriend had choked her.

Sexual strangulation, nearly always of women in heterosexual pornography, has long been a staple on free sites, those default sources of sex ed for teens . As with anything else, repeat exposure can render the once appalling appealing. It’s not uncommon for behaviors to be normalized in porn, move within a few years to mainstream media, then, in what may become a feedback loop, be adopted in the bedroom or the dorm room.

Choking, Dr. Herbenick said, seems to have made that first leap in a 2008 episode of Showtime’s “Californication,” where it was still depicted as outré, then accelerated after the success of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” By 2019, when a high school girl was choked in the pilot of HBO’s “Euphoria,” it was standard fare. A young woman was choked in the opener of “The Idol” (again on HBO and also, like “Euphoria,” created by Sam Levinson; what’s with him ?). Ali Wong plays the proclivity for laughs in a Netflix special, and it’s a punchline in Tina Fey’s new “Mean Girls.” The chorus of Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me,” which topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for six nonconsecutive weeks this winter and has been viewed over 99 million times on YouTube, starts with, “I’m vanilla, baby, I’ll choke you, but I ain’t no killer, baby.” How-to articles abound on the internet, and social media algorithms feed young people (but typically not their unsuspecting parents) hundreds of #chokemedaddy memes along with memes that mock — even celebrate — the potential for hurting or killing female partners.

I’m not here to kink-shame (or anything-shame). And, anyway, many experienced BDSM practitioners discourage choking, believing it to be too dangerous. There are still relatively few studies on the subject, and most have been done by Dr. Herbenick and her colleagues. Reports among adolescents are now trickling out from the United Kingdom , Australia , Iceland , New Zealand and Italy .

Twenty years ago, sexual asphyxiation appears to have been unusual among any demographic, let alone young people who were new to sex and iffy at communication. That’s changed radically in a short time, with health consequences that parents, educators, medical professionals, sexual consent advocates and teens themselves urgently need to understand.

Sexual trends can spread quickly on campus and, to an extent, in every direction. But, at least among straight kids, I’ve sometimes noticed a pattern: Those that involve basic physical gratification — like receiving oral sex in hookups — tend to favor men. Those that might entail pain or submission, like choking, are generally more for women.

So, while undergrads of all genders and sexualities in Dr. Herbenick’s surveys report both choking and being choked, straight and bisexual young women are far more likely to have been the subjects of the behavior; the gap widens with greater occurrences. (In a separate study , Dr. Herbenick and her colleagues found the behavior repeated across the United States, particularly for adults under 40, and not just among college students.) Alcohol may well be involved, and while the act is often engaged in with a steady partner, a quarter of young women said partners they’d had sex with on the day they’d met also choked them.

Either way, most say that their partners never or only sometimes asked before grabbing their necks. For many, there had been moments when they couldn’t breathe or speak, compromising the ability to withdraw consent, if they’d given it. No wonder that, in a separate study by Dr. Herbenick, choking was among the most frequently listed sex acts young women said had scared them, reporting that it sometimes made them worry whether they’d survive.

Among girls and women I’ve spoken with, many did not want or like to be sexually strangled, though in an otherwise desired encounter they didn’t name it as assault . Still, a sizable number were enthusiastic; they requested it. It is exciting to feel so vulnerable, a college junior explained. The power dynamic turns her on; oxygen deprivation to the brain can trigger euphoria.

That same young woman, incidentally, had never climaxed with a partner: While the prevalence of choking has skyrocketed, rates of orgasm among young women have not increased, nor has the “orgasm gap” disappeared among heterosexual couples. “It indicates they’re not doing other things to enhance female arousal or pleasure,” Dr. Herbenick said.

When, for instance, she asked one male student who said he choked his partner whether he’d ever tried using a vibrator instead, he recoiled. “Why would I do that?” he asked.

Perhaps, she responded, because it would be more likely to produce orgasm without risking, you know, death.

In my interviews, college students have seen male orgasm as a given; women’s is nice if it happens, but certainly not expected or necessarily prioritized (by either partner). It makes sense, then, that fulfillment would be less the motivator for choking than appearing adventurous or kinky. Such performances don’t always feel good.

“Personally, my hypothesis is that this is one of the reasons young people are delaying or having less sex,” Dr. Herbenick said. “Because it’s uncomfortable and weird and scary. At times some of them literally think someone is assaulting them but they don’t know. Those are the only sexual experiences for some people. And it’s not just once they’ve gotten naked. They’ll say things like, ‘I’ve only tried to make out with someone once because he started choking and hitting me.’”

Keisuke Kawata, a neuroscientist at Indiana University’s School of Public Health, was one of the first researchers to sound the alarm on how the cumulative, seemingly inconsequential, sub-concussive hits football players sustain (as opposed to the occasional hard blow) were key to triggering C.T.E., the degenerative brain disease. He’s a good judge of serious threats to the brain. In response to Dr. Herbenick’s work, he’s turning his attention to sexual strangulation. “I see a similarity” to C.T.E., he told me, “though the mechanism of injury is very different.” In this case, it is oxygen-blocking pressure to the throat, frequently in light, repeated bursts of a few seconds each.

Strangulation — sexual or otherwise — often leaves few visible marks and can be easily overlooked as a cause of death. Those whose experiences are nonlethal rarely seek medical attention, because any injuries seem minor: Young women Dr. Herbenick studied mostly reported lightheadedness, headaches, neck pain, temporary loss of coordination and ear ringing. The symptoms resolve, and all seems well. But, as with those N.F.L. players, the true effects are silent, potentially not showing up for days, weeks, even years.

According to the American Academy of Neurology, restricting blood flow to the brain, even briefly, can cause permanent injury, including stroke and cognitive impairment. In M.R.I.s conducted by Dr. Kawata and his colleagues (including Dr. Herbenick, who is a co-author of his papers on strangulation), undergraduate women who have been repeatedly choked show a reduction in cortical folding in the brain compared with a never-choked control group. They also showed widespread cortical thickening, an inflammation response that is associated with elevated risk of later-onset mental illness. In completing simple memory tasks, their brains had to work far harder than the control group, recruiting from more regions to achieve the same level of accuracy.

The hemispheres in the choked group’s brains, too, were badly skewed, with the right side hyperactive and the left underperforming. A similar imbalance is associated with mood disorders — and indeed in Dr. Herbenick’s surveys girls and women who had been choked were more likely than others (or choked men) to have experienced overwhelming anxiety, as well as sadness and loneliness, with the effect more pronounced as the incidence rose: Women who had experienced more than five instances of choking were two and a half times as likely as those who had never been choked to say they had been so depressed within the previous 30 days they couldn’t function. Whether girls and women with mental health challenges are more likely to seek out (or be subjected to) choking, choking causes mood disorders, or some combination of the two is still unclear. But hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation — judging by what research has shown about other types of traumatic brain injury — could be a contributing factor. Given the soaring rates of depression and anxiety among young women, that warrants concern.

Now consider that every year Dr. Herbenick has done her survey, the number of females reporting extreme effects from strangulation (neck swelling, loss of consciousness, losing control of urinary function) has crept up. Among those who’ve been choked, the rate of becoming what students call “cloudy” — close to passing out, but not crossing the line — is now one in five, a huge proportion. All of this indicates partners are pressing on necks longer and harder.

The physical, cognitive and psychological impacts of sexual choking are disturbing. So is the idea that at a time when women’s social, economic, educational and political power are in ascent (even if some of those rights may be in jeopardy), when #MeToo has made progress against harassment and assault, there has been the popularization of a sex act that can damage our brains, impair intellectual functioning, undermine mental health, even kill us. Nonfatal strangulation, one of the most significant indicators that a man will murder his female partner (strangulation is also one of the most common methods used for doing so), has somehow been eroticized and made consensual, at least consensual enough. Yet, the outcomes are largely the same: Women’s brains and bodies don’t distinguish whether they are being harmed out of hate or out of love.

By now I’m guessing that parents are curled under their chairs in a fetal position. Or perhaps thinking, “No, not my kid!” (see: title of Dr. Herbenick’s book above, which, by the way, contains an entire chapter on how to talk to your teen about “rough sex”).

I get it. It’s scary stuff. Dr. Herbenick is worried; I am, too. And we are hardly some anti-sex, wait-till-marriage crusaders. But I don’t think our only option is to wring our hands over what young people are doing.

Parents should take a beat and consider how they might give their children relevant information in a way that they can hear it. Maybe reiterate that they want them to have a pleasurable sex life — you have already said that, right? — and also want them to be safe. Tell them that misinformation about certain practices, including choking, is rampant, that in reality it has grave health consequences. Plus, whether or not a partner initially requested it, if things go wrong, you’re generally criminally on the hook.

Dr. Herbenick suggests reminding them that there are other, lower-risk ways to be exploratory or adventurous if that is what they are after, but it would be wisest to delay any “rough sex” until they are older and more skilled at communicating. She offers language when negotiating with a new partner, such as, “By the way, I’m not comfortable with” — choking, or other escalating behaviors such as name-calling, spitting and genital slapping — “so please don’t do it/don’t ask me to do it to you.” They could also add what they are into and want to do together.

I’d like to point high school health teachers to evidence-based porn literacy curricula, but I realize that incorporating such lessons into their classrooms could cost them their jobs. Shafia Zaloom, a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, recommends, if that’s the case, grounding discussions in mainstream and social media. There are plenty of opportunities. “You can use it to deconstruct gender norms, power dynamics in relationships, ‘performative’ trends that don’t represent most people’s healthy behaviors,” she said, “especially depictions of people putting pressure on someone’s neck or chest.”

I also know that pediatricians, like other adults, struggle when talking to adolescents about sex (the typical conversation, if it happens, lasts 40 seconds). Then again, they already caution younger children to use a helmet when they ride a bike (because heads and necks are delicate!); they can mention that teens might hear about things people do in sexual situations, including choking, then explain the impact on brain health and why such behavior is best avoided. They should emphasize that if, for any reason — a fall, a sports mishap or anything else — a young person develops symptoms of head trauma, they should come in immediately, no judgment, for help in healing.

The role and responsibility of the entertainment industry is a tangled knot: Media reflects behavior but also drives it, either expanding possibilities or increasing risks. There is precedent for accountability. The European Union now requires age verification on the world’s largest porn sites (in ways that preserve user privacy, whatever that means on the internet); that discussion, unsurprisingly, had been politicized here. Social media platforms have already been pushed to ban content promoting eating disorders, self-harm and suicide — they should likewise be pressured to ban content promoting choking. Traditional formats can stop glamorizing strangulation, making light of it, spreading false information, using it to signal female characters’ complexity or sexual awakening. Young people’s sexual scripts are shaped by what they watch, scroll by and listen to — unprecedentedly so. They deserve, and desperately need, models of interactions that are respectful, communicative, mutual and, at the very least, safe.

Peggy Orenstein is the author of “Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent and Navigating the New Masculinity” and “Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape.”

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An earlier version of this article misstated the network on which “Californication” first appeared. It is Showtime, not HBO. The article also misspelled a book and film title. It is “Fifty Shades of Grey,” not “Fifty Shades of Gray.”

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Before you write your college essay on video games
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