essay on debate topics

200+ Engaging Debate Topics for Students & How to Choose the Right One!

Table of contents

• 1 Interesting Debate Topics for College Students
• 2.1 15 Elementary School Debate Topics
• 2.2 Debate Topics for Middle Schoolers
• 2.3 High School Debate Topics
• 2.4 Debate Topics for University Students
• 3.1 Best Education Debate Topics in 2024
• 3.2 Best Science and Technology Debate Topics
• 3.3 Debate Topics on Health and Medicine
• 3.4 18 Psychology, Sociology, and Ethic Topics
• 3.5 Debate Topics about Policy and Finance
• 3.6 15 Leisure (Music, Games, Etc.) Topics
• 3.7 16 Environmental Debate Topics
• 3.8 Current Debate Topics in History
• 4 35 Funny Debate Topics
• 5 How to Choose a Debate Topic?
• 6.1 Persuasive Debate Topics
• 6.2 Controversial Debate Topics
• 6.3 Argumentative Debate Topics
• 7 How to Debate Using Pro and Con Arguments?

A debate is a common and powerful exercise in colleges. It is a crucial part of the academic program and an engaging activity for young people. However, many students find it challenging to prepare for debates.

One of the most common difficulties is choosing a debate topic. The topic should be interesting to you and relevant to your class or the audience you are addressing.

So, how do you find such a topic? Follow these simple tips:

• Pick a Topic You Care About: Choose something you are passionate about. Your interest in the topic will make your preparation more enjoyable and your arguments more compelling.
• Consider Your Audience: Make sure the topic is relevant and understandable to your audience. Think about what issues matter to them and what will keep them engaged.
• Research Availability: Ensure there is enough information available on both sides of the topic. You’ll need solid evidence to support your arguments and counterarguments.

If you need to prepare an essay, we can help with that too using the custom essay writing service PapersOwl for students.

Interesting Debate Topics for College Students

Here is our best list of debate topics for college students that will spark passionate debates: Debating in school: does it help children get engaged in the classroom?

• Would you rather be honest and poor or dishonest and rich?
• Is there a valid justification for the American war on terror?
• Should the death penalty exist in the modern world, and why?
• How effective are alternative sources of energy?
• Are social networking platforms useful for communication, or are they mainly tools for stalking?
• Is it appropriate to use torture as a part of national security measures?
• Is it justified to develop nuclear energy for commercial use?
• How should we use stem cells in medicine?
• Is there a real way to prolong a human’s life?
• Is it more ethical to use humans for clinical trials than animals?
• Is our behavior determined only by our genes, or do we have personal responsibility?

All these topics can be a good match, but we have prepared even more interesting topics in this article. Continue reading to find your perfect debate topic!

If you feel strongly about choosing the theme of your debate but have no time to prepare all arguments for speech, PapersOwl is here to help you. We offer a wide selection of argumentative essays that are written by professional writers, who are experienced in researching and crafting compelling arguments.

Debate Topics By Levels of Education

Going to debate, students have to consider their level of education to pick a relevant topic that suits both their needs and their level. How to choose a topic that suits you? Below, we have prepared a few tips and examples for different levels.

15 Elementary School Debate Topics

When searching for a perfect topic for elementary students, remember that kids of this level are not experienced and mature enough to handle complex controversial issues, so it’s a good idea to opt for something less complicated. Here you can see a few great ideas for debate topics for elementary students:

• Should our class go on field trips every year?
• Should elementary students be allowed to bring as many toys to school as they wish?
• Is it a good idea for each class to have a pet?
• Should students be allowed to watch cartoons during study hours?
• Should students be able to wear whatever they want to school?
• Should elementary students be required to participate in community service?
• Are outdoor classrooms beneficial for elementary students?
• Is learning to write by hand still important in today’s digital world?
• Should storytelling be used more often in teaching?
• Can board games be used effectively in education?
• Should elementary schools include daily meditation in their schedules?
• Is it important for students to learn basic cooking skills at school?
• Should financial literacy be taught starting in elementary school?
• Is learning a second language early beneficial for students?
• Should schools focus more on physical fitness than academic performance?

Debate Topics for Middle Schoolers

Topics for this level may be more complex and boost students’ analytical and critical thinking skills. For this level, you can opt for slightly controversial topics. Debate topics for middle school still shouldn’t require too much from a student but should give some information to think about for a student to develop an individual position on a specific issue. Here are a few ideas to opt for:

• Do gadgets in the classroom improve or impair learning?
• Which is more educational: books or movies?
• Is participation in sports beneficial for students?
• Should we increase or decrease the number of seasonal holidays?
• What are the effective methods to enhance student participation in class?
• Should schools enforce uniforms?
• Is a vegetarian diet healthier for students?
• Should schools ban the use of smartphones?
• Is it necessary for all students to learn a second language?
• Are annual standardized tests beneficial for students?
• Should arts education be mandatory in schools?
• Is year-round schooling more effective?
• Should physical education be compulsory throughout schooling?
• Are online courses a suitable alternative to traditional learning?
• Should community service be a graduation requirement?

High School Debate Topics

In high school, debates are excellent tools for getting students involved in the class and helping them gain new knowledge and skills that would be important for their future education and life. Debate topics for high school have become more controversial and complex. Below are some good examples of good high school debate topics:

• Do the risks of peer pressure in schools outweigh the benefits?
• Should schools abolish final exams?
• Is sex education necessary for high school students?
• Are GPAs an outdated method of assessing student knowledge?
• What are the best methods to combat bullying in schools?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Should smartphones be banned in schools?
• Is it essential for students to learn a second language?
• Should arts education be compulsory in schools?
• Are online courses a viable alternative to traditional learning?
• Is too much money harmful to society’s well-being?
• Does a high income guarantee a successful future career?
• Should the minimum wage be linked to the cost of living?
• Are standardized tests failing today’s students?

Debate Topics for University Students

When it comes to choosing debate topics for college or university, there are many things to keep in mind – it has to be controversial, relevant, have significance, and clearly demonstrate a student’s knowledge and skills. Choosing a good topic can be hard. However, in our article, you will find many good examples, and here are a few of them:

• Does living in a dorm help students assimilate into the college community or hurt the educational process?
• Does cheating get worse when students enroll in university or college
• Does technology get in the way of studying, or does it help?
• Should student ID cards come with a tracking device
• Is face-to-face interaction with professors more effective than online sessions and lectures?
• Alternative sources of energy: explain why they are effective or not
• Should we take away the death penalty completely?
• The impact of social networking on the development of our society
• Single-sex schools: are they more effective than traditional ones? Why?
• Should we use school vouchers?
• Prescription drugs: explain why they should or shouldn’t be advertised to consumers
• Beauty pageants: are they a way to objectify women
• Drug testing: explain why we should or shouldn’t make it mandatory for all schools
• Should parents have the possibility to ban certain books from libraries and schools?
• Is setting special curfews an effective way to keep teenagers out of trouble?
• Should financial incentives be offered to teachers in underperforming school districts?
• Are financial incentives effective in improving student performance?
• Should school districts receive more autonomy in curriculum design?
• Is lowering the drinking age beneficial or harmful to society?
• Should underage drinking be treated as a criminal offense?
• Are current social security benefits adequate for today’s elderly?
• Should changes to social security include a minimum guaranteed income?
• Should birth control be made available to teenagers without parental consent?
• Is making birth control accessible a solution to social issues?

List of Debate Topics by Field of Knowledge

It is not possible to  become a great debater if you have no clue how to choose an engaging and relevant topic for your debates. Choosing topics can be hard. However, we have done all the hard work to give you a list of great ideas that can work for any purpose or level, so we hope each of you will find something suitable and interesting in the list below.

Best Education Debate Topics in 2024

• Is home-schooling better than studying at school?
• Should we ban homework, or is it an essential part of our studies that teaches us to work independently?
• Do we consider a college education useful and essential?
• Should schools allow the use of computer tablets?
• Is it better for students to wear school uniforms, or should they have a choice?
• In what ways do standardized tests improve education in America and around the world?
• Should universities require students to know at least one foreign language?
• Is it time to cancel the electoral college system?
• Should universities and colleges pay athletes for playing on their teams?
• Is it necessary for all students applying to college to complete a certain period of community service?
• Should we require elementary school students to wear uniforms?
• Is it beneficial for school to last all year long?
• Should physical education be a compulsory part of the school curriculum?
• How should we address the rising student loan debt crisis?
• Are private schools better than public schools in providing quality education?
• Should school districts receive more funding to improve educational resources?
• Is secondary education adequately preparing students for the workforce?
• Should we reform the electoral college to reflect the popular vote?

Best Science and Technology Debate Topics

• Are cell phones and smartphones safe for us?
• How can science and religion coexist?
• Should children use smartphones?
• Is online study more effective than traditional classroom learning?
• Are people with a mathematical mindset more successful?
• Is space travel worth the cost economically?
• What are the hazards and benefits of genetically modified children?
• Can science progress without animal testing?
• What are the pros and cons of fully automated cars?
• Can laws keep up with today’s internet technology?
• Does technology harm our future?
• Do violent video games lead to aggressive behavior in children?
• Should we regulate artificial intelligence to prevent job loss?
• How can artificial intelligence influence our career?

Debate Topics on Health and Medicine

• What are effective methods to quit smoking, and is smoking reasonable or not?
• Is euthanasia justified?
• Should recreational marijuana be legal or not?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be acceptable for athletes?
• Is vaccination necessary for young children, or are there valid counterarguments?
• How can the legalization of drugs decrease the level of organized crime?
• How does the Internet influence our health?
• What are the hazards of technology for human health?
• Should health insurance be obligatory?
• How does air pollution impact our health?
• Should antibiotics be banned or not?
• Why are some parents against vaccinations?
• What are the pros and cons of alternative medicine?
• Should animal testing be banned?
• How should schools address mental health issues among students?
• Is standardized testing an effective measure of student performance?
• Should junk food be banned in school cafeterias?

18 Psychology, Sociology, and Ethic Topics

• Should adults have the right to carry guns and defend themselves?
• What are the pros and cons of adoption, and why should people adopt children instead of having their own?
• Should same-sex marriage be legal?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Can religious belief make you happy?
• What if prostitution were legal?
• Is there any true proof of God’s existence?
• How has psychology as a science developed over the last decades?
• What explains violent behavior among school students?
• Should students study ethics in schools?
• Is hunting ethical?
• How do social groups influence child behavior?
• Should society ban cigarettes?
• How do we achieve gender equality in the workplace?
• Should human cloning be allowed?
• Should countries eliminate nuclear weapons?
• Should birth control be available over the counter?
• Is it necessary to regulate hate speech on social media platforms?

Debate Topics about Policy and Finance

• Do our votes really matter?
• Is it necessary to preserve rights for different types of intellectual property?
• What are the main factors of a country’s financial stability?
• Is taxation good or bad?
• Is the repeal of anti-sodomy laws important for national development?
• Will the USA soon have a woman President?
• Is mobile banking secure?
• Should we trust banks?
• Can we have free education around the world?
• Is it time to adopt a fee-only standard for financial advice?
• Should children learn to manage finances in school?
• Can financial problems destroy a country?
• Should we lower the voting age?
• Should certain minor offenses be decriminalized?
• How should the government handle undocumented immigrants?
• Do stricter laws lead to more crime?

15 Leisure (Music, Games, Etc.) Topics

• Books and TV: which is more interesting and which is more useful?
• Games and television. Which is better?
• Social networking: discuss how social networks are useful or harmful to our society.
• Social networking restrictions: explain why social networks should be available for children or why they should be restricted to those over 18.
• Discuss how social media can make people more or less sociable and give a few examples that prove its usefulness for us.
• Drinks: discuss what are the reasons alcoholic drinks should or should not be available for young people who are less than 21 years old
• How can music help reduce stress?
• Is art therapy a good tool for fighting mental illness?
• Is listening to music good for pregnant women?
• Should we use video games in education?
• Are movies good tools for education?
• Are scientific clubs in school good for students’ leisure time?
• Are concerts good or bad for us?
• Pros and cons of attending a circus with children
• The role of games in early education

16 Environmental Debate Topics

• Should animals be used for scientific achievements?
• What are the best ways to protect nature and save the environment?
• What causes global climate change, and what can people do about it?
• How might future cities look in 200 years?
• Why should we eliminate all plastic packages?
• Should we ban plastic bags to protect the environment?
• How can we prevent an environmental catastrophe?
• Is solar energy more expensive than other energy sources?
• Should people do more to protect wildlife?
• Is reforestation a reasonable solution to global warming?
• What are the risks, pros, and cons of vegetarianism?
• Should we allow oil drilling in wildlife refuges?
• Are zoos good or not?
• Should countries impose special taxation on international aviation?
• Is a carbon tax an effective way to combat climate change?
• Should we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels?

Current Debate Topics in History

• Does history matter?
• How effective was Haig’s British generalship during the war?
• Did King Arthur really exist?
• Did Genghis Khan do more good than harm?
• Did the Soviet Union instigate the Six-Day War?
• What is the historical background of World War Two?
• Should all immigrants pass a historical test, or is it unimportant?
• What was Britain’s role in the First World War?
• Who discovered the effect of gravitation first: Newton or Haitham?
• Was the USA a provocateur for Japan in the war?
• Did South Korean provocations spark the Korean War?
• What are the alternative views of historians on World War Two?
• What were the causes and outcomes of the Revolutionary War?
• How should the international community address North Korea’s nuclear program?
• Is it fair for other countries to impose sanctions on nations violating human rights?
• Should other countries intervene in conflicts to prevent genocide?
• How can other countries collaborate to combat climate change effectively?
• Should there be a global agreement to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in warfare?
• What are the global implications of the Ukraine-Russia war?
• Should other countries provide military aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia?

The discussion can help you talk about hot and interesting topics and learn other’s points of view. It can also allow you to overcome stage fright. While performing at such an event,  students learn to think spontaneously and defend their points of view politely.

35 Funny Debate Topics

Not every time you prepare for the debate, you will have to be serious. Sometimes you will get an opportunity to set your creativity free and just enjoy the process as you participate in a debate on funny or interesting debate topics. However, this does not mean you won’t have to prepare. To not lose face, you will still have to choose a topic and prepare arguments, so here are some fun topics to debate on we have prepared for you:

• Art and music as tools for reducing stress in schools
• Are celebrities good role models or not?
• Can vampires get AIDS from sucking blood that is affected?
• Which is better: daydreaming or nightdreaming?
• Homework should be dismissed in elementary school
• Importance of extracurricular activities and clubs in schools
• Should we make cartoons and TV a part of the educational process in elementary school?
• What is the best TV show of all time?
• Should zoos be done away with?
• What is the best pizza topping?
• Can we call superheroes misleading role models?
• Schools shouldn’t track students by academic level
• Public prayers should be banned in schools
• Should social networks be blocked in schools?
• Students should have an opportunity to get an after-school job
• It’s a good idea to allow high school students to leave school during lunch
• Did God create our world, or did it just occur naturally?
• Which of these are more real – pirates or ninjas?
• Should juveniles be treated as adults?
• Should people live together before they marry?
• What are the perks of being a woman?
• What are the perks of being a man?
• The harm and benefits of peer pressure
• Do nursery rhymes have secret interior meanings?
• Fast food shouldn’t be on the school menu
• Phones should be allowed in schools
• Schools should have an option for online attendance
• Do people depend on computers and other gadgets too much?
• Animal dissections have to be prohibited in schools
• Should parents not purchase war or destructive toys for their children?
• Nuclear energy and its impact on our society and environment
• Is human cloning a real thing, and should it be allowed?
• Sex education: should it be started in middle school or later
• How do books influence personality development?
• Is there life after death?

Debating is a useful practice for all people, thanks to the experience and skills it gives you. Preparing for a debate, you gain more knowledge on a specific topic. In addition, you get the possibility to develop your problem-solving and communication skills, which are the most in-demand skills for modern employers. By taking professional help from an assignment writing service , you can refine your debating skills even further and make sure you are well-equipped to tackle any debate.

How to Choose a Debate Topic?

Where does one find some easy debate topics? There are many things to debate, but choosing the right topic that will be interesting for most students is challenging. Here are a few tips on how to make the right choice:

• Think about some topics that interest you – what sort of discussions do you like the most? You can pick something from the curriculum also. This way, you will be able to help other students learn the material they will have on their tests and the topics they may face in the future. It is possible to work with this the way you work with your essay topic ideas .
• Also, remember that your discussion topics must fit the other students’ level – some of them can be unable to handle the topic with too many aspects to consider. Highly complex issues should fit the students with a great standard of reasoning. But most students usually come up with a few arguments, and these arguments rarely relate to the opposing parties’ points. In this situation, the debate can become confusing or embarrassing. Make a list of suitable debate questions.
• Consider your students’ access to research all necessary materials – if other students have to conduct significant research while preparing for the debate, it can’t be a good debate. This is something you have to keep in mind. For example, when you pick a modern art and literature theme with many specific terms and present it to a math class, your debate won’t have good results. Do not forget to prepare your personal speech or buy one from a reliable speech writing service online .
• Do not forget about the time! All students must have enough time to prepare for the debate, so it is reasonable to pick out a topic they are studying now or one they have already studied. This way, they will be able to come up with strong and clever arguments.
• While debating, assume that you are right – in order to succeed, you have to be completely sure of your position and have some strong supporting facts.
• Do not insult the opposition. Be polite in every situation that could happen.

When choosing the best debate topic ideas, we considered several criteria: level of education, type of debate, and subject or sphere of knowledge. We’ve divided the best ideas into categories to make your search simpler.

Types of Debate Topics by Format

Apart from the academic level, you should also consider the type of debate format to choose from and an appropriate topic. When choosing the format, consider the audience and the course objectives. Some formats, such as a persuasive format, will develop a student’s ability to give presentations where they need to convince the audience of an idea. On the other hand, an argumentative topic develops skills in negotiating, and a controversial format gets students accustomed to speaking about ideas that may not be comfortable or popular. Here is a breakdown of the primary three formats:

Persuasive Debate Topics

The main goal of such topics is to persuade the audience. Persuasive debate topics have to cover a problem or subject that people care about, and it also has to be something you are personally interested in and knowledgeable in. If you choose this type, you will have to carefully study the subject you have and prepare a powerful base of arguments and facts to prove the validity of your opinion.

Controversial Debate Topics

The main characteristic of such topics is they are always challenging for a student – controversial debate topics usually cover significant and powerful issues and have lots of space for arguments. Such issues may have two or more absolutely different public opinions. Therefore, they also assume prolonged and intensive public discussion. A good controversial theme arouses different opinions among the people and makes them come up with questions that can’t have one specific answer.

Argumentative Debate Topics

Argumentative debate topics cover specific issues, problems, phenomena, or subjects that you can deliberate on. Selecting such topics, you have to be ready to do in-depth research, study materials, and pick arguments from time-tested and reliable sources to support your ideas.

These three formats are different in nature and purpose. However, regardless of what type you are looking for, to choose a good topic, you have to follow these basic rules:

• It has to be fresh and relevant.
• It has to be something that people and you personally care about.
• It has to be interesting.
• It doesn’t have to be too broad or too narrow.
• It has to have value.
• You have to be able to find enough supporting material on it.

How to Debate Using Pro and Con Arguments?

One of the most important things you should consider when going into a debate is that your opponent from the opposite side of the table, and your audience, will have controversial opinions on your topic. They will have some points against your position, and you must be ready. The best way to be prepared for such situations is to outline both pro and con arguments on your chosen topic. This will help you see the whole picture. After all, providing pro and con arguments on a specific topic is a popular practice in debates, so you should understand how to do it right. For this reason, we have prepared an example of how you can do it with the topic “How social media can make people more or less sociable”:

• Pro: The popularity of social media has helped us meet new people and communicate easier
• Con: With the appearance of social networks, people started to interact less in the real-life
• Pro: Social media helps less sociable people develop their communication skills without discomfort
• Con: Social media takes almost all our free time, making us too busy to connect with each other in the real world

We have already written some essays about social media. You can check it out  here .

Debating helps enhance rigorous critical thinking and higher-order skills. It teaches people to organize and structure their thoughts well. If you participate in debates, you can also develop your research, note-taking, and analytical skills, as well as gain the ability to create balanced, informed arguments and use evidence and reasoning. All the skills mentioned above are vital for every successful student. If you need help developing your debating skills, there are plenty of essay helpers online that you can use. Remember, practicing debating is the best way to gain and improve skills!

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125+ Controversial Topics for Debates, Essays, and More

Don’t be surprised when the discussion gets heated.

It can be tempting to steer away from controversial topics in the classroom. But teaching students to discuss hot topics calmly and rationally is vital. Show them how to think critically about a subject and then use facts to support their point of view. These controversial topics work well for classroom debates, persuasive essays , argumentative essays , or fishbowl discussions .

Note: Each controversial topic includes a link to an article from a reliable source that provides pros and/or cons to help students make their arguments.

Debate Extension Activity

• Controversial Education Topics
• Science and Health Controversial Debate Topics
• Controversial Civics Ideas
• Social Justice Controversial Debate Topics
• More Controversial Issues to Debate

Debating is a great way for students to hone critical thinking and communication skills, but it doesn’t need to stop at the podium. Encourage your students to turn their debates into action with The Edit, a digital storytelling challenge from NBCU Academy and Adobe. This real-world application encourages students to plan, script, and produce their own 90-second video news reports on important wellness topics. Plus, winning classrooms can score prizes like GoPros and Fandango gift cards!

Free Printable Debate Graphic Organizers

Plus, help your students prep for any kind of debate with our free graphic organizers! You get debate rules and strategies, along with differentiated organizers for elementary and middle/high school students.

Education Controversial Debate Topics

Schools and educational materials have been controversial topics for hundreds of years. And no one is better poised to debate these issues than students! It’s a good opportunity for them to practice swaying an audience without letting their own emotions get in the way.

• Should schools eliminate dress codes?
• Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
• Are private schools better than public schools?
• Should schools be allowed to teach critical race theory?
• Are standardized tests effective?
• Should schools teach abstinence instead of sexual education?
• Should schools make condoms available to students?
• Is year-round school better for students?
• Should schools ban junk food?
• Are single-gender schools better for students?
• Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
• Should we make college free for everyone?
• Should we allow schools to ban books from their libraries?
• Does religion have a place in public schools?
• Should charter schools receive public school funds?
• Are school voucher systems a good idea?

• Is in-person school better than online school?
• Should schools have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways?
• Should schools install safe rooms in case of mass shootings or natural disasters?
• Should all teachers be armed in the classroom to help protect their students?
• Is it important for schools to provide mental health support to students?
• Should schools allow students to use phones during the school day?
• Is recess important at every grade level?
• Should we put equal value on vocational education and academics?
• Is homeschooling good for children?
• How much emphasis should school put on reading from the “canon” versus reading more contemporary voices?

Science and Health Controversial Issues

Many people have strong feelings about their health, bodies, and lifestyles, making controversial ideas like the ones here perfect for sparking vigorous debates.

• Should we completely ban cigarette smoking and vaping?
• Should humans eat animals?
• Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
• Should we ban plastic bottles and bags?
• Is it worth it to spend money exploring space?
• Should we use stem cells from human embryos for scientific research?
• Is it better to provide drug addicts with treatment instead of punishment?
• Should we ban the use of fossil fuels?

• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
• Are evolution and intelligent design valid competing theories?
• Should all countries have to give up their nuclear weapons?
• Is universal government-sponsored healthcare a good idea?
• Should we ban testing on animals?
• Should net neutrality be mandatory for internet service providers?
• Is our society too reliant on technology?
• Would taxing unhealthy foods help fight obesity?

• Can alternative energies replace fossil fuels?
• Should developing countries have to meet the same environmental standards as more developed nations?
• Is nurture more important than nature when raising a child?
• Can we truly do anything about human-caused global warming?
• Are electric vehicles better than gas-powered ones?
• Does our society have a harmful “diet culture”?
• Should doctors be allowed to prescribe psychiatric drugs like Ritalin or SSRIs to children?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?
• Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
• Should governments subsidize technologies like electric cars or solar panels for houses?
• Is animal cloning ethical?
• Should human cloning be legal?
• Should organ donation be mandatory after death?

Civics Controversial Debate Topics

Living with others in a society has both great benefits and serious challenges. Finding common ground is especially difficult with controversial issues like these, but learning to debate things calmly and rationally is an incredibly important skill.

• Should we raise the driving age to 18?
• Should we lower the voting age to 16?
• Should we lower the drinking age to 18?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should all Americans be required to vote?
• Is a progressive income tax better than a flat tax?
• Should parents be punished legally for their children’s crimes?
• Is security more important than freedom?

• Should abortion rights be protected under the law along with other reproductive rights?
• Would it be better to appoint Supreme Court judges for fixed terms?
• Should people have to take a parenting class before having a child?
• Should we legalize marijuana at the federal level?
• Would it be better to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs (including alcohol) instead of banning them?
• Should the United States implement a universal basic income?
• Should we redirect some or all police force funding to social services?
• Do gun safety laws infringe on the Second Amendment?
• Should we require people of all genders to register for the draft?
• Should anyone over 12 be tried as an adult in court?

• Is it right to require people to take drug tests before receiving government aid like welfare?
• Should we do away with gender-specific public bathrooms?
• Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
• Why haven’t we had a female U.S. president yet?
• Should men be allowed to make laws that affect women’s bodies?
• Should the government provide funding for public art programs?
• Are there any reasonable limits to freedom of speech?

Social Justice Controversial Ideas

Awaken your students’ social consciences with controversies like the death penalty, racial equality and equity, immigration, and more. These are likely to be some of the hottest debates you see, so help students keep their objectivity and learn to argue using verifiable facts instead of personal emotion.

• Should we make the path to American citizenship easier?
• Should we abolish the death penalty?
• Is a strong middle class vital to the economy?
• Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Is criminal profiling inherently racist?
• Is the American justice system inherently racist?
• Would a “wealth tax” help mitigate income inequality in our country?
• How much of a problem is ageism in our society?
• Should felons be allowed to vote after serving their time in prison?

• Does socioeconomic prejudice affect our society?
• Should we automatically deport undocumented immigrants, regardless of how long they’ve been in the country?
• Should control of ancestral lands be returned to Indigenous communities?
• What is the role of media in fighting systemic racism?
• Should the government pay reparations to descendants of enslaved people?
• Is facial recognition security software an invasion of personal privacy?
• Should workers’ rights provisions be required in all U.S. trade agreements?
• Does segregation still exist in the United States?
• Should the UN require all member countries to accept a minimum number of refugees each year?
• Will stricter gun control laws help stop mass shootings?
• Is it logical to continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico?

More Controversial Issues To Debate

From peace vs. war to whether kids should play contact sports, every student will find something to interest them in these debate topics.

• Are white-collar jobs better than blue-collar jobs?
• Does religion do more harm than good?
• Will we ever achieve world peace?
• Should parents use their kids’ cell phones to track where they are?
• Should we let young children play contact sports like football?
• Are the prices of pharmaceutical drugs reasonable?
• Should we ban all violent video games?
• Are beauty pageants sexist?
• Should kids get participation trophies for sports?

• Should there be a minimum age for owning a smartphone?
• Is it possible to be an ethical hunter?
• What is the best way to deal with homelessness?
• Do people have a responsibility to step in when they see a crime in action?
• Are “stand your ground” laws effective?
• Is there any benefit to teaching proper grammar and spelling, or should we allow language to be descriptive instead of prescriptive?
• What gives people true power in the United States?

• Is conflict necessary for change?
• Is war ever justified?
• Was Russia justified in attacking Ukraine?
• Should media companies work to promote diverse representation, or are talent and popularity more important?
• Should both parents receive equal amounts of paid leave when they have or adopt a child?
• Are stereotypes ever right?
• Who should cover the medical costs of people without insurance?
• Is video gaming a sport?
• Should we allow parents to pierce a baby’s ears?

Grab your free Debate Graphic Organizers for all grade levels!

What controversial ideas and issues do you use with your students come share in the we are teachers helpline group on facebook ., plus, check out these strong persuasive writing examples (speeches, essays, ads, and more) ., you might also like.

Debate Graphic Organizers (Free Printables)

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