200+ Latest and Popular Debate Topics for Students

A debate is an essential part of your academic program. Similarly, it also serves as an engaging activity for young people.

Many students face problems while they are preparing to debate. The most common difficulty is to choose interesting debate topics.

Even if you have impressive content but do not have an engaging topic, the audience will definitely lose interest. Therefore, choose the right and appropriate topic.

This blog will provide you with some best debate topics to choose from.

What is a Debate?

A debate is a kind of a formal and serious discussion on a certain topic. It presents opposing and counter-arguments to support a particular claim or argument. Such a discussion is often held at a place where there are audiences and a panel to judge the arguments that are put forward.

Every debate has some basic elements that include:

• The logical consistency of the argument
• Supporting evidence
• Factual accuracy
• Emotional appeal

Generally, the debating sessions take place in academic institutes, public meetings, and legislative and lawmaking assemblies.

In this, a participant tries to cancel the point of view and arguments of the opponents by supporting his own stance with solid proof. Similarly, this activity not only engages the audience but also increases their knowledge.

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Top Debate Topics for Students

A great debate topic is the first thing that your audience will come across. Therefore, it must be compelling enough to grab the audience's attention to your viewpoint. Similarly, an important subject is also essential for memorable debates.

Therefore, we suggest that you conduct thorough research before deciding on a specific topic.

Your college or school debate topic should also provide enough evidence that strongly supports your stance by denying the opposing argument.

If you are already assigned a topic, then it is easier to gather relevant material. However, you have been given a chance to choose a topic yourself, think of something interesting.

Here we have mentioned an interesting list of debate topics and ideas to help you out for your debates. Continue reading to find great speech and debate topics for students.

Easy Debate Topics for Kids

Here is a list of easy debate topics for kids to challenge their young minds.

• All schools should ban homework.
• American Idol is better than X-Factor.
• Dogs are better pets than cats.
• Can we party after death?
• Encouraging teenagers to read books: are outcomes worth the effort?
• Is privacy important?
• Advertising should be banned during children's programs.
• Pop music is the best kind of music.
• Should plastic bags be banned?
• All people should become vegetarian.
• Can all cars become electric?
• It is unethical to eat meat.
• Zoos should be banned.
• Should wealthy people pay higher taxes than the poor?
• Money is the only source of motivation in practical life.

Debate Topics for Middle School

The following are some interesting middle school debate topics to give you some good ideas.

• Co-education schools are better for education.
• Women are better managers than men.
• Sex education must be banned in middle schools.
• Competition is far more necessary in regards to the learning process.
• Posting students' grades on bulletin boards publicly are humiliating.
• Are we aliens of some sort?
• Discuss the best dating techniques.
• What is the best pizza topping?
• Should we abolish the electoral college?
• Dogs are proven to be better pets than cats and rabbits.
• Pirates are more real than ninjas.
• Are security cameras an invasion of our privacy?
• Are humans too dependent on computers?
• Social networking sites are sophisticated means for stalking people.
• It is important for all schools to conduct mandatory drug testing on their students.

Debate Topics for High School

Here are some most interesting high school debate topics that students can choose from.

• How does tourism affect the environment?
• Is parental supervision the same as parental control?
• Modern healthcare and antibiotics: Advantages and disadvantages.
• Mandatory financial education: pros and cons.
• Classes should start in the afternoon.
• Is it better to date someone attractive and popular or intelligent and smart?
• Rock n Roll music is better than Hip Hop.
• Fried food always comes with a warning.
• Smoking should be banned worldwide.
• The sale of fur must be banned.
• Bad parenting can be blamed for childhood obesity.
• Alcohol should not be sold after 10 pm.
• Nuclear powers of the world are responsible for wars.
• Is allowing teachers to carry guns on campuses a good idea?
• Public speaking is a way to foster a child’s communication skills.

Debate Topics for College Students

If you are searching for a good topic idea for your next debate, below are some common debate topics for your help.

• The age gap is an important factor in relationships.
• Credit cards are more harmful than debit cards.
• Bullying in schools must be stopped.
• Being a man has more advantages than being a woman.
• The age gap is an important factor in relationships.
• Credit cards are more harmful than debit cards.
• Bullying in schools must be stopped.
• Is the right to bear arms a necessary constitutional amendment.
• Being a man has more advantages than being a woman.
• Is feminism irrelevant in the 21st century?
• Unpaid internships should be against the law
• The government should provide free birth control.
• Is artificial intelligence dangerous?
• Global warming and climate change effects.
• Companies should be taxed on their carbon emissions.

Controversial Debate Topics

Some of the controversial debate topics are given below.

• Children should not be allowed to play violent video games.
• Are private schools better than public schools?
• Students should be allowed to form their own curricula at any academic level
• Is abortion murder?
• Is human cloning ethically acceptable?
• Performance-enhancing drugs are used to improve human activity. Yes or No?
• Is patriotism advantageous or threatening?
• Is higher education a necessary prerequisite of one’s financial success?
• Parents always treat their children fairly: yes or no?
• Religion does more harm than good.
• Are men stronger than women?
• Companies should hire 50% male and 50% female employees.
• Peer pressure is a good thing.
• Reality television is harming society.
• Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.

Funny Debate Topics

Following funny debate topics will offer humorous matters to give your speech on.

• Sunlight affects vampires: How?
• Junk food should be banned in schools and colleges.
• Why can men date younger women but women won't date younger men?
• Women are much more complicated than men.
• Will technology make people smarter?
• Is leisure essential for workplace effectiveness?
• Daydreaming versus night dreaming: which is better?
• Feminism should focus more on men's rights.
• Do fairy tales affect children’s reality perception?
• Is summer vacation better than winter vacation?
• Women spend their leisure time differently than men.
• Has the #MeToo movement gone too far?
• Barbie is a good role model for young girls.
• Individuals should own their own DNA.
• Dance can be considered a sport.

Political Debate Topics

Below are some essential political debate topics for you to choose from.

• Dictatorship and monarchy should end worldwide. Why?
• Should the death penalty be abolished in the United States?
• Political campaigns must be organized on money borrowed by corporations
• Limiting terms for US senators and representatives brings more harm than benefit
• There should be a monarch system in the United States
• Is the US Constitution a living document?
• Ancient Roman culture versus contemporary culture
• Democracy is the best form of government
• Political leaders should perform on social platforms nowadays
• Is there any economic justification for wars?
• Police should be allowed to use lethal force
• Gay couples should be allowed to adopt children.
• Animals should have the same rights as humans.
• Is the Paris Agreement relevant anymore?
• Can the current US government ensure the country’s financial stability?

Interesting Debate Topics

Some of the interesting and engaging debate topics for college students are mentioned below:

• Everyone should not be allowed to keep weapons
• How to deal with illegal immigrants?
• Students must also be involved in extracurricular activities and sports.
• Is it sound to demand that all students learn at least one foreign language?
• How secure is mobile banking?
• Can education be completely privatized?
• How essential is a college education for getting a good job?
• Does modern social media make people less socially active?
• Is parental support essential for the future success of children?
• Can people save nature using technology (or destroy it)?
• Is mandatory vaccination a means of ensuring proper health?
• Do technological advances influence us?
• History and its influence on the future.
• Moreland should be dedicated to national parks.
• Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.

Public Forum Debate Topics

The below-mentioned topics will be discussed at the public forums.

• Are drug addicts dealt with through help or punishment?
• Plastic bags cause environmental pollution. Is it true?
• Mobiles must be banned at school.
• Everyone has a right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Is patriotism a good or a bad thing?
• Pros and cons of using social media.
• Are there any reasons to raise minimum wages?
• Students should learn the ethics of different religions at schools.
• Should children use smartphones without parental supervision?
• Are student loans exploitative?
• Can censorship ever be justified?
• Can animal testing be justified?
• Parents should be able to refuse medical treatment for their children.
• We are living in a dystopian society.
• Parents should limit the amount of time their children spend on technology.

ESL Debate Topics

The following are some interesting ESL debate topics that are guaranteed to get you going.

• There is no third gender.
• Homosexual relationships are against nature.
• Every person should have a pet.
• School uniforms must be banned in every school.
• Parents should not purchase war or destruction type toys for their children.
• Values or wealth? Which one is necessary to survive?
• Are there some discrete messages in nursery rhymes?
• Which gender is better? Male or female?
• Can vampires get AIDS?
• All women are irrational and use intuition instead of logic.
• Governments should invest in alternative energy sources.
• Marijuana must be recognized as a social offense and a crime
• It is the duty of the government to provide national security to its citizens.
• Britain should not be a part of the European Union.
• Large business corporations should pay more taxes.

Sports Debate Topics

Here is a list of interesting sports topics that you can choose from.

• Should women compete against men in sports?
• The difference between scouting and statistical analysis.
• Should we measure greatness by championships?
• Major reasons why soccer is not popular in the United States.
• Are bullfights good?
• Are sports stars paid too much?
• Are the Olympics important?
• Is bodybuilding a real sport?
• Are athletes good role models?
• Reasons why we need sports in the school curriculum.
• Can we trust NFL game predictions?
• Misconceptions about mixed martial arts.
• Are competitive sports doing more harm than good?
• Paintball: is it a true sport?
• Can sports athletes impact social change?

Technology Debate Topics

Here are some fascinating debate topics about technology that you can choose for your speech.

• Are cell phones safe?
• Are robots better than humans?
• Are you a fan of Apple products
• Can anti-surveillance software be trusted?
• Can technology replace books?
• Crime has declined because of technology
• Do companies need a website?
• Does digital mapping do more harm than good?
• How does technology isolate us?
• Is the internet a blessing or a curse?
• Should kids be using tech all the time?
• Is cyberbullying a real problem?
• Is Artificial Intelligence a threat to humanity?
• Has WikiLeaks grown too powerful?
• Should mobile phones be banned for kids under 18?

Education Debate Topics

If you are searching for some interesting debate topics, here are some suggestions.

• Why do schools give too much homework?
• Why are student loan interest rates so high?
• Art is more important than science.
• Curriculum leads to success.
• Do we need school uniforms?
• Grades should be abolished.
• How can we educate kids about the harm of cyber-bullying?
• Are schools really helping society?
• Should students get paid for grades?
• Students should have a part-time job.
• Should there be more educational institutions?
• Kids should have longer school time!
• Is homeschooling a good idea?
• The pros and cons of gym class in schools.
• Should teachers be held responsible for students' performance?

Health Care Debate Topics

The following are some interesting health care topics that you can choose from to create a perfect debate.

• Is euthanasia an assisted suicide?
• When poverty becomes a disease?
• Helping someone with an eating disorder.
• Obesity: is it an eating disorder?
• How do asylums treat people with mental issues?
• Electronic health record system: Pros and cons.
• Surgical leadership in changing times.
• Should there be criminal responsibility for medical errors?
• Should marijuana be legalized?
• Is it okay to self-medicate?
• Medical malpractice should have consequences.
• Should animal experimentation be banned?
• Strict control over the cost of live saving drugs is needed.
• Can cloning help save lives?
• Pros and cons of clinical trials.

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How to Select a Good Debate Topic?

Good topics are necessary for meaningful debates. Therefore, you must pick compelling and controversial debate topics. There are plenty of such topics for you to choose from.

A good topic makes the audience learn about both sides of an issue. If college or high school students have less time for preparation, they should choose a topic that is neither too challenging nor too easy for them.

Remember, compelling topics will result in more intense and extraordinary discussions. Moreover, middle school students also end up engaging by forgetting about their hesitation and fear of public speaking.

Therefore, consider the following factors when selecting a debate topic:

• Interest: Make sure that you are interested in the topic. Also, think about whether it would be engaging enough for the classmates and the audience? Selecting a topic that you are passionate about makes the preparation part even more exciting.
• Argument Potential: Choose a debate topic that has a solid argument potential. If only one side is right, or if there is a limited amount of information available, you will face a hard time crafting a good debate.
• Availability of Data: A topic with a lot of empirical data can bolster your argument.
• Target Audience: Your topic must be in accordance with the intellectual level of your audience. This is how they will actually understand what you are trying to deliver through your debate.

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