29 Interesting debate topics for kids of all ages

Debates are a great way to get students actively participating in the learning process while demonstrating that their voice matters.

I have found it increasingly important to include debates in my classroom recently since I am noticing students seem to shy away from disagreements or have a hard time engaging in respectful discourse.

No matter what class I am teaching I always make it a point to start with a more casual topic so we can establish critical norms such as listening, empathizing, understanding, and respect. 

The following two options are a fun way to build community and encourage discussion without requiring a lot of background information or asking students to share sensitive perspectives before a safe learning environment has been established: 

• Best Superhero – Ask students to choose a superhero and create a 30-60 second pitch arguing why that superhero is the best. This topic is great to get students sharing without too much worry about offending others or “losing” the argument. I used to use this discussion during my personality unit when I taught Psychology. Not only can it connect to understanding perspective but it also helps students recognize that different personality traits have different strengths and weaknesses depending on individual preference.

• The “Dress” – The great thing about this debate is that the world is ready for a second round since most students did not participate in the discussion the first time it took over the internet. I recommend showing the image to the class and asking for volunteers to describe what they see. Then, have students move to one side of the room or the other depending on how they see the dress. After the debate goes in circles for a bit, I have students read this Slate article explaining the science behind the debate. This topic always get a lot of energy into the room and allows you to discuss the role of perception in a variety of subject areas.

1) Popular debate topics

• Social Media – Social media is harmful for society. Students are all very aware of this topic so it is a great one to use at any point of the year when you want to get kids talking. I use Netflix’s Social Dilemma in my U.S. History and Digital Media Design course each year after a brief debate on this topic and then ask students to develop a more in-depth stance with concrete examples after we finish the film.

• School Uniforms – Students should all wear the same uniforms. Although most students tend to argue against school uniforms there are always interesting points in favor of uniforms including the time saved not having to decide on an outfit each morning.

• Space Exploration – Space exploration is a waste of money. Billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson are popularizing private ventures into space. Many people argue that money could be better spent addressing global issues such as poverty and healthcare. This debate helps students look at an issue from both a short-term and long-term impact when considering the variety of results that come from a major investment in innovation.
  
  Classroom Resources for Space Exploration
  Humans are fascinated by space. This series explores the essentials of outer space, space exploration and our place in the universe.
  Watch on ClickView: Let’s Discover Space

2) Controversial debate topics

• Vaccinations – Children should be vaccinated in order to attend public school. This debate is a great starting point to launch into larger discussions about individual rights, communal responsibility, and medical ethics. I use this topic to discuss the role of media and popular culture on the narrative of legal requirements. Many students are surprised to learn about the long history of mandatory vaccinations including George Washington ordering members of the Continental Army to get inoculated against smallpox.
  
  Disclaimer: Prior to discussing controversial debate topics in the classroom, teachers are advised to assess the emotional readiness of students and create an inclusive environment. Exercise caution to ensure respectful dialogue, considering the potential impact on students’ well-being, privacy and overall classroom dynamic.
  
  Classroom Resources for Ethics
  Do all ethical dilemmas have one single correct solution? This series explores divisive issues, encouraging students to consider the ethics and morality behind differences of opinion.
  Watch on ClickView: Ethics in Action

• Decriminalizing Drug Use – Illegal drugs should be punished with tickets and fines rather than jail time. This topic is great for helping students understand that we do not live in a black and white world with only two options for complex situations. Introducing the idea of decriminalizing drugs while keeping them illegal opens students up to considering the nuances of other situations throughout the year. This topic is just a really easy way to get that interest and buy in.
  
  Classroom Resources for Drug Awareness
  From the painkillers in your medicine cabinet to the caffeine in your tea, drugs are a common part of everyday life, often helping you to feel good. But what about illegal drugs, hazardous drugs and drugs taken in unhealthy quantities?
  Watch on ClickView: Drug Awareness
  
  This video series introduces students to different types of drugs and substances, and explores the dangers of using them and how they can learn to avoid them and keep themselves safe as they get older.
  Watch on ClickView: Drugs – Better Informed, Better Prepared

3) Light-hearted & funny debate topics

• Pineapple on Pizza – Pineapple is an acceptable pizza topping. Other than discussing whether it is weird to wear socks while sleeping, this is the most contentious debate I use that deals with a relatively unimportant topic. Be ready to get hungry during the discussion though.

• Cats vs. Dogs – Cats are better pets than dogs. This is a wonderful topic to teach students how to structure an argument or write an essay. Have each student respond to the prompt in their notes with their opinion and ask them to include at least three pieces of evidence to support their rationale.
  
  Classroom Resources for Cats vs. Dogs
  Consider the question posed by Spot and Stripe; “Which are better, cats or dogs?”
  Watch on ClickView: Cats vs. Dogs

• Music – If the world needed to eliminate one genre of music, which one should it be? When I first used this I thought everyone would say the same thing but every year I am surprised by the answers. I also started allowing students to play sample songs during the debate to help them with their argument which has really added another level of engagement and energy to the experience.

4) Political debate topics

• Term Limits – Members of Congress should be limited to how long they can serve in office. I like to give students this question before looking at the historical approval ratings of Congress. This opens up opportunities to discuss campaigns and the role of money in elections since students can see how low approval ratings are even when re-election rates are high.

• Age Limits – Individuals should be prevented from holding office after a certain age. This is a great debate to include when studying the Constitution and learning about the minimum age requirements for different federal positions. An additional question that really gets kids thinking is to try and determine what age should be the limit, if one were to be instituted. Be careful though, because you might find out that your students think you are too old to hold office…!

• Mandatory Voting – Everyone that is legally allowed to vote should be required to do so. Voting is one of the key components to a healthy democracy yet many people choose not to exercise that right. This topic gives students a chance to discuss the balance between individual rights and civic duty.

5) Weird & unusual debate topics

• How to Make Toast – The best way to make toast. To start, ask students to individually draw all of the steps needed to make toast on a piece of paper or sticky-notes. Next, have students form small groups of 5-6 and share their ideas with each other before creating a new group representation of the process. I use this activity from Tom Wujec at the beginning of the year to emphasize collaboration and iteration but I have found that students really enjoy when their groups are given time to argue why their final design is the most accurate.

• Aliens – Extraterrestrials exist and have visited earth. This debate topic is great for getting students to share stories or beliefs they have about UFOs or other unexplainable phenomena. This topic goes really well in a World History course as a way to get students intrigued in European exploration. After the debate, I ask students to imagine themselves as either the explorers or the inhabitants and what thoughts they might have during a first encounter.
  
  Classroom Resources for Aliens
  Have you ever wondered if aliens exist? You’re not alone! Learn about what alien life needs to survive in the universe!
  Watch on ClickView: Are Aliens Real?

• Robots – Robots will eventually take over humans and rule the world. The exponential pace of technological advancement is touching nearly every sector of society. The implications of that rapid change can cause excitement but also a lot of anxiety. This is a really fun way to start exploring this topic and the potential implications.

6) Ethical debate topics

• Universal Basic Income – Every citizen is guaranteed a minimum income from their country. I have found that it takes a little while to get this discussion going because most students are unfamiliar with the concept at first. Give it some time and provide plenty of support at the beginning and then you should see a range of political, economic, and philosophical arguments coming out.

• Death Penalty – The government is allowed to execute individuals convicted of major crimes, such as murder or terrorism. Even though more countries are banning the practice, the number of executions is going up globally. It is really interesting to ask students to research which countries still allow the death penalty and them have them discuss what it means to be on that list.

7) Environmental debate topics

• Nuclear Power – Nuclear power should be illegal. Most students have some background or opinion on nuclear power but have not really researched the subject. This is a great way to get students interested before diving deeper into the research and history of this area.
  
  Classroom Resources for Nuclear Energy
  Nuclear power generation is nothing new, but after several notable disasters the debate about cost versus benefit is ongoing. This series examines the science behind nuclear technology, including nuclear fission and fusion, reactors and safety.
  Watch on ClickView: Nuclear Energy

• Government Subsidies – The government subsidize citizens to purchase ‘green’ products like solar panels and electric vehicles. This debate fits really well in an Economics class when discussing supply and demand. It can also be used in a history class when studying the role of government in supporting certain industries (railroad, farming, oil, etc.).

• Plastic – Single use plastics should be outlawed. My favorite part of this debate is typically seeing the amount of single use plastic in the room while students are discussing this issue. It is a great way to challenge students to be conscious of their spending patterns if they are concerned about the environmental impacts of this type of pollution.
  
  Classroom Resources for Plastic Pollution
  Ramon Knoester, the founder of Clear Rivers, noticed that 80% of plastics worldwide enters the oceans through rivers. Inspired by the need for innovation in floating architecture, Clear Rivers tested out the best ways to catch, sort and repurpose the plastics.
  Watch on ClickView: Turning the Tide on Plastic

8) My favorite elementary school debate topics

• Homework – Homework helps students learn. The wording in this debate is really important. At this level, if you ask if schools should have homework the debate will probably be pretty short. Focusing the conversation on learning helps students reflect on the activities and experiences they find valuable as a student.

• School Lunch – Schools should serve healthy lunches to students. This topic is a great one to include in a unit on health and nutrition. After students share their opinions, challenge them to create a couple sample lunches that are tasty, nutritional, and realistic options in a school setting.
  
  Classroom Resources for Healthy Eating
  Ant Active is a Super Geek Hero on a mission to learn. In this mission he introduces healthy, tasty foods and snacks using a rhyming rap. A great way to encourage healthy eating and have fun singing along to the musical rhyme.
  Watch on ClickView: Learn about Eating Healthy Foods

• Student Choice – What subject or class should students be able to learn about in elementary school? Allow students to form small groups and organize their thoughts before holding a full class discussion. Every time I have done this with students I have been amazed by how many good and practical ideas they bring up. Be careful though, because you might not have a good explanation for why school does not include that topic currently!

9) My favorite middle school debate topics

• Pledge of Allegiance – Standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance should be optionaI. I have found this to be one of the most heated discussions in my class because it reveals the multitude of reasons and and understandings that students hold about the Pledge of Allegiance.
  
  Classroom Resources for The Pledge of Allegiance
  All across the United States, its citizens regularly stand, with hands on heart, to make the Pledge of Allegiance. But what is it, what does it mean and why is it so important?
  Watch on ClickView: The Pledge of Allegiance

• E-Bikes – E-bike users should be 16 or hold a licence. The number of e-bikes have exploded in our community and we have actually had to redesign our school bike racks to accommodate them. I haven’t found a student who is not interested in this topic. Also, this works great in a high school setting too because they have a very different view about the maturity levels of middle schoolers…

• Social Media Restrictions – Parental approval should be required before a minor creates a social media account. I love using this debate with middle school students because it is when most of them are starting to use social media and they are at times starting to assert some of their own individuality against the wishes of their parents.

10) My favorite high school debate topics

• Phones – Cell phones should not be allowed at school. At first this might seem like a one-sided debate but you might be surprised by how many students say it would help them concentrate and reduce stress if they did not have a device on them.

• College – College isn’t worth the time or money. Over the last decade or so I have seen a dramatic rise in the stress level surrounding getting into a specific college straight out of high school. At times, it almost feels that high school is more of a college admission program than an institution of learning. It is really fun to let students back up and consider the value around the goal that is driving their daily behavior. For some, they will question their motives. For others, it might reinforce their convictions.

• Grades – Grades are an accurate reflection of intelligence. I think this topic works best in a course with multiple grade and academic levels. The more diversity in student achievement in the room, the better the perspectives and discussions.

References

1. Aker, J. A. (2021, August 16). Gen. George Washington Ordered Smallpox Inoculations for All Troops. Health.mil. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from https://health.mil/News/Articles/2021/08/16/Gen-George-Washington-Ordered-Smallpox-Inoculations-for-All-Troops
2. Congress and the Public | Gallup Historical Trends. (n.d.). Gallup News. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://news.gallup.com/poll/1600/congress-public.aspx
3. How many countries still have the death penalty, and how many people are executed? (2024, January 25). BBC. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45835584
4. Wallisch, P. (2017, April 12). We Finally Know Why People Saw “The Dress” Differently. Here’s why people saw “the dress” differently. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://slate.com/technology/2017/04/heres-why-people-saw-the-dress-differently.html
5. Wujec, T. (n.d.). Draw Toast — Tom Wujec. Tom Wujec. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.tomwujec.com/draw-toast