Starlight Presents the Positive Impact of Gaming at Capitol Hill
The Positive Impact of Gaming
Starlight was invited to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) second annual Capitol Hill Video Game Showcase on June 5, 2025.
The ESA is a trade association that serves as a voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry, held its second annual Capitol Hill Video Game Showcase on June 5, 2025. The ESA focuses on promoting the positive effects of video games. Starlight took part in the conversation at the showcase, along with members Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Riot Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation, Take-Two Interactive and Ubisoft.
Viktoria de Jong, Starlight’s Mission Delivery Technology Coordinator and Child Life Specialist, spoke to federal policymakers about the social, emotional and mental health benefits of video games.
She, along with Sarah Pressley, Starlight’s Senior Manager of Community Engagement, shared how video games are being used as therapeutic tools and how gaming technology, like the Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming Station and Handhelds continues to foster connection and community.
Harnessing the Power of Gaming
Collaborating with Hospital Staff
Hospital staff such as gaming specialists utilize Starlight Gaming to make life as normal as possible for kids in the hospital. A recent study among Starlight’s hospital partners found that normalization was a key factor in increasing patient compliance.
Not only that, playing Starlight Gaming with hospital staff gives patients more chances to interact with hospital staff and speak more freely about their concerns.
Starlight Gaming can also sometimes be used as a therapeutic tool to distract kids from painful procedures.
Stream for Starlight
Starlight’s community understands the positive effects of video games on society, especially for kids who are hospitalized. These include a sense of control, coping with pain and connecting with others.
Twitch streamers come together in the Stream for Starlight (S4S) community to deliver Starlight programs like gaming to hospitalized kids nationwide. Since its inception in 2019, charity streamers have fundraised more than $2.7 million to deliver Starlight programs like gaming to hospitalized kids nationwide.
