Cathy A.
Cathy A.

Interesting Debate Topics and Ideas for Students

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11 min read

debate topics

Are you a student looking to get better at thinking critically and having fun debates? You're in the right place! 

We've got over 150 cool debate topics for you to choose from. 

Whether you're into politics, science, ethics, or just love pop culture, our list of awesome debate topics will help you pick a side and get better at making your arguments. 

In this blog, we'll not only check out lots of interesting debate ideas, but we will also give you tips on how to select a topic.

So, let's dive into the list of debate topics and find the perfect topic for you!

On This PageArrow Down

  • 1. Best Debate Topics for Students
  • 2. Public Forum Debate Topics
  • 3. Educational Debate Topics
  • 4. Debate Topics for Kids
  • 5. Debate Topics for Teens
  • 6. Debate Topics for Adults 
  • 7. Political Debate Topics
  • 8. Social Debate Topics
  • 9. Sports Debate Topics
  • 10. Health Debate Topics
  • 11. Technology Debate Topics
  • 12. Funny Debate Topics
  • 13. Controversial Debate Topics
  • 14. Unique Debate Topics
  • 15. Debate Topics for English Learners
  • 16. How to Choose Good Debate Topics?

Best Debate Topics for Students

Here you can find the list of top debate topics for students.

Debate Topics for Middle School Students

  • Should students have a longer summer vacation?
  • Should school uniforms be required for middle school students?
  • Is it important to learn a second language?
  • Is it better to read physical books or e-books?
  • Would you rather have a robot or a human teacher?
  • Is it better to have pizza or ice cream for school lunch every day?
  • Should students have more recess and less homework?
  • Should schools have a "no-homework" week?
  • Should video games be allowed during school breaks?
  • Should students be allowed to create their school subjects?

Debate Topics for High School Students

  • Should standardized testing be eliminated in college admissions?
  • Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports?
  • Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
  • Is a college degree necessary for success in today's job market?
  • Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
  • Is social media beneficial or harmful to society?
  • Should the United States switch to a universal healthcare system?
  • Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research?
  • Should the death penalty be abolished nationwide?
  • Is there a need for stricter gun control laws in the United States?

Debate Topics for College Students

  • Should the government provide free universal healthcare for all citizens?
  • Is it ethical for companies to collect and use personal data for targeted advertising?
  • Should the United States implement stricter gun control laws?
  • Is online education as effective as traditional in-person learning?
  • Should college athletes be paid for their participation in sports?
  • Is it acceptable for governments to regulate social media content for the sake of public safety?
  • Should there be stricter regulations on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production?
  • Is climate change the most significant global challenge of our time, and what actions should be taken to address it?
  • Should the death penalty be abolished nationwide?
  • Is it ethical for countries to engage in cyber warfare and espionage?

Debate Topics for University Students

  • Is universal basic income an effective solution to poverty and unemployment?
  • Should the government regulate social media content for the sake of public safety?
  • Debate: Private Schools vs. Public Schools – Which Offers a Superior Educational Experience?
  • Is the current voting age-appropriate, or should it be lowered or raised?
  • Is there a moral obligation for individuals and nations to address climate change?
  • Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be more strictly regulated in food production?
  • Is the use of surveillance technology in public spaces a necessary security measure or an invasion of privacy?
  • Should college athletes be paid for their participation in sports?
  • Is there a need for stricter gun control laws to reduce violence?
  • Is online education as effective as traditional in-person learning for university students?

Public Forum Debate Topics

  • Banning mobile phones in schools: Is it good or bad?
  • What are the ways to achieve economic growth?
  • Can we trust banks?
  • Can financial problems destroy a nation?
  • Is taxation good or bad?
  • Why is it so hard for women to become president?
  • What is the importance of financial stability?
  • Is mobile banking safe?
  • Why should we lower the voting age?
  • How do humans affect animals?

Educational Debate Topics

  • Is a college education necessary to get a good job?
  • Should children be playing contact sports?
  • Why are the Arts as important as Science?
  • Should junk food be banned in schools?
  • Is homework essential for the learning process?
  • Why must religion be taught in school?
  • Boarding school is harmful to students. Why?
  • How do college loans exploit students?
  • School uniforms should be mandatory. Discuss why.
  • Is history an important subject?

Debate Topics for Kids

  • Should schools have a longer summer vacation?
  • Is it better to have a pet dog or a pet cat?
  • Should students have more recess and less homework?
  • Is it more fun to read books or watch movies?
  • Should kids be allowed to have a later bedtime on weekends?
  • Is it better to have pizza or hamburgers for dinner?
  • Should students be allowed to wear their favorite clothing to school?
  • Is it more fun to play video games or play outside?
  • Should kids have to do chores at home?
  • Is it better to have a treehouse or a clubhouse for a secret hideout?

Debate Topics for Teens

  • Should school dress codes be more lenient to allow for self-expression?
  • Is it important for teenagers to volunteer or engage in community service?
  • Should teenagers be allowed to have a part-time job during the school year?
  • Is it better to have a longer summer vacation or more frequent shorter breaks throughout the year?
  • Should there be a curfew for teenagers to ensure their safety and well-being?
  • Is it ethical for parents to monitor their teenagers' online and social media activities?
  • Should teenagers be required to learn financial literacy in high school?
  • Should violent video games be banned for teenagers to reduce aggression?
  • Is animal testing ethical in scientific research and product testing?
  • Is it important for teenagers to learn about diverse cultures and histories in their curriculum?

Debate Topics for Adults 

  • Is remote work more productive and preferable to in-office work?
  • Should governments provide a universal basic income to all citizens?
  • Is online privacy more important than national security?
  • Should the legal drinking age be lowered or raised?
  • Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research and testing?
  • Should the United States implement stricter gun control laws?
  • Is a college degree still necessary for career success?
  • Should there be stricter regulations on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production?
  • Is it ethical for companies to collect and use personal data for targeted advertising?
  • Should assisted suicide be legalized for terminally ill patients?

Political Debate Topics

  • Should people be able to own guns?
  • Should churches pay taxes?
  • Is freedom of speech important in a functional society?
  • Why should America take in more refugees?
  • Should automatic weapons be legalized?
  • Why should your country claim ownership of Antarctica?
  • Why should voting be mandatory for all citizens?
  • Does the UN have an army?
  • Why should politics be kept out of schools?
  • Should the royal family be abolished?

Social Debate Topics

  • Give reasons why privacy is important.
  • Does social media cause more harm than good?
  • Why should the government ban the sale of cigarettes?
  • Why should sex work be legal?
  • Is peer pressure beneficial or harmful to individuals?
  • Why should police use deadly force?
  • Countries should be isolationist. Why?
  • Why should abortion and birth control be banned?
  • Bottled water should be banned. Why?
  • Why should plastic bags be banned?

Sports Debate Topics

  • Discuss the major difference between hockey and cricket.
  • Sports stars should be paid too much. Discuss why?
  • Why are athletes considered good role models?
  • Is paintball a real sport?
  • How can athletes impact social change?
  • Why are football players too spoiled?
  • Why are sports more important than arts?
  • What is the difference between scouting and statistical analysis?
  • Why is soccer not popular in Canada?
  • Elaborate on the misconceptions about mixed martial arts.

Health Debate Topics

  • Should all countries provide free healthcare to all homeless people?
  • Why should doctors be allowed to promote medical products?
  • Why vaccinations for children should be made compulsory. 
  • Why people with mental health issues be treated outside the community?
  • What are the ways to help someone with an eating disorder?
  • Why it is not okay to self-medicate?
  • Why is it illegal to use animals for drug testing?
  • What are the symptoms of heart attacks in men?
  • Discuss obesity as a medical problem.
  • How can happiness cure diseases?

Technology Debate Topics

  • How can the development of artificial intelligence help humanity?
  • Why is cell phone radiation dangerous for the human body?
  • The Internet is a blessing or a curse. Discuss.
  • Why should the government ban mobile phones for kids under 18?
  • How is cyberbullying considered a real problem?
  • Technology has replaced books. How?
  • Why do multinational companies need a website?
  • Why do most people become fans of Android?
  • How has email improved communication?
  • Why do people spend too much money on apps?

Funny Debate Topics

  • The X factor vs. the American idol. Which is the better show?
  • Cats vs. dogs. Which are proven to be better pets?
  • Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
  • What is the best pizza topping?
  • Is Summer the best season or winter?
  • Harry Potter vs. Twilight. Which is a better movie?
  • What do women want?
  • Are we aliens?
  • Eat to live or live to eat. Discuss the concepts.
  • Is there life after death?

Controversial Debate Topics

  • Why is it important to ban late-night alcohol sales?
  • What are the pros and cons of having illegal immigrants?
  • Is dance a sport?
  • Should we ban advertising to children?
  • Should fines be proportionate to income?
  • Should we clone human beings?
  • Unpaid internships should be illegal. Why?
  • Parents should be able to refuse medical treatment for their children. Discuss why.
  • Should video games be considered a sport?
  • Should beauty contests be banned?

Unique Debate Topics

  • Should the use of AI in creative arts, like writing, music, and painting, be considered legitimate art forms?
  • Is it ethical for individuals to sell their personal data to companies for profit?
  • Should there be a cap on CEO salaries to reduce income inequality within a company?
  • Is time travel theoretically possible, and should we invest in researching it?
  • Should there be a universal world language to promote global understanding and communication?
  • Is it ethical to use gene editing technology to create designer babies with specific traits?
  • Should the government provide a guaranteed income for all citizens to combat poverty?
  • Is cryptocurrency a viable replacement for traditional currency in the future?
  • Should animals be given legal rights, such as personhood, to protect them from harm and exploitation?
  • Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence to make life-and-death decisions in healthcare and warfare?

Debate Topics for English Learners

  • Should gay couples be allowed to adopt children?
  • Why do we need a minimum wage?
  • Why should every nation have a right to keep and bear arms?
  • Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
  • Has the #MeToo movement lost focus?
  • How has feminism done more harm than good?
  • Why do you need to protect your intellectual property?
  • How is patriotism different from nationalism?
  • Is there a danger of being too religious?
  • Is censorship in the media necessary?

How to Choose Good Debate Topics?

Debate writing is an exciting way for students to develop essential skills like critical thinking, and research abilities. 

But to have a successful and engaging debate, you need to choose the right topic. The topic sets the stage for the entire discussion and can make or break your experience.

Here is what you should keep in mind when selecting a topic:

  • Personal Interest: Select a topic that genuinely interests you. Your enthusiasm for the subject will not only make the debate more enjoyable but also motivate you to research and prepare thoroughly.
  • Relevance: Choose a topic that is relevant to the audience and the context of the debate. Consider the interests and knowledge levels of your audience to ensure they can engage with the discussion.
  • Research Availability: Ensure there is enough information and credible sources available to support different viewpoints on the topic. Access to research materials will help you build a strong case for your debate speech
  • Current Events: Current or trending issues often make for compelling debate topics. They capture the attention of the audience and are more likely to be relatable.
  • Balance: Strive for a balance between familiar topics and those that are less well-known. This can provide variety and broaden your knowledge base.
  • Audience Engagement: Think about what will captivate your audience. A topic that resonates with the audience's concerns, values, or aspirations will encourage active participation.
  • Educational Value: Prioritize topics that allow you to learn and grow. A debate is not just about winning but also about expanding your knowledge and communication skills.
  • Feedback: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or teachers when brainstorming topics. They can offer valuable insights and help you choose a well-rounded subject.

By keeping these points in mind, you'll be better equipped to select great debate topics that inspire interesting and constructive discussions.

So there you have it!

Debate is not merely about winning or losing; it's an opportunity to express your ideas, challenge your beliefs, and learn from others.

We have explored many engaging debate topics and you may have found one that resonates with your interests, passions, and beliefs. 

But if you still feel you have no time to select and prepare a debate, we are here to help you.

We understand that debate writing takes a lot of time and effort. If you cannot do it yourself, don’t hesitate and contact our top essay writing service now. Here, you can hire expert writers for debate writing help.

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Cathy A.

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Cathy A.

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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