When students learn debate, they gain valuable life skills. Debate teaches children to research their topics, make informed choices, and argue effectively using facts rather than emotions. This list of middle school debate topics includes both serious and casual ideas for kids ages 10 to 14. Each topic includes links to articles from trusted sources that provide pros and cons to help children discuss.
Free printable debate graphic organizer
Plus, use our free graphic organizers to help your students prepare for any type of debate. Debate rules and strategies are provided, along with differentiated organizers for elementary, middle/high school students.
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Debate extension activities
Debate is a great way for students to develop their critical thinking and communication skills, but it doesn’t have to stop at the podium. Encourage students to turn discussion into action with The Edit, a digital storytelling challenge from NBCU Academy and Adobe. This real-world application encourages students to plan, script, and create their own 90-second video news reports on important health topics. Plus, winning classrooms can win prizes like GoPros and Fandango gift cards.
School and education debate topics
Students love to discuss topics about school rules, homework, and teachers. These questions are perfect for getting middle school students involved in their first debate.
It is better to be good at academics than to be good at sports. Homework should be banned. Schools should require all students to wear uniforms. Schools should teach survival and life skills. Students should be allowed to wear hats at school. We should punish students who say bad things. Year-round schools are better for students. Schools must require physical education (physical education classes) through grade 12. All students should be required to volunteer in the community. Junk food should be banned in schools. All middle school students should learn foreign languages. Single-sex schools are better for students. Mathematics is the most important school subject. Text evaluation should be abolished. Teachers should be replaced by computers. Students should be graded by hand. Children who do better in school will be more successful in life. Sometimes it’s okay to cheat on homework or tests. Students who fail a test should be given the opportunity to retake the test. Students should be able to grade teachers. Children should be able to bring their pets to school. Schools should give junior high school students more recess time. The school day should be shorter. Schools should abolish dress codes. College should be free to everyone who wants to attend. Schools should be allowed to ban some books from their libraries. Being smart by reading books is better than being smart on the street.
Technology and Entertainment Discussion Topics
From smartphones and video games to social media usage and movie ratings, these topics cover some of the subjects that teens are most interested in. They will enjoy exploring and discussing both sides of each question.
Everyone should have free internet access. If you play violent video games, you’re more likely to become violent in real life. Reality TV depicts real life. It’s worth spending money to explore space. Paper bags are better than plastic bags. Our society is too dependent on technology. GMOs are safe for human consumption and the environment. The minimum age to own a smartphone must be 16 years. Students should be allowed to use their phones during class. Macs are better than PCs. Android is better than iPhone. Children under 13 must be allowed to use social media sites such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Students should not be allowed to watch television on school nights. Social media does more harm than good. Video games are better than board games. Reading books is better than watching TV. All paper documents must be replaced with electronic versions. Books are always better than movies made from them. Parents should use their child’s mobile phone to track their child’s whereabouts. Playing video games makes you smarter. Scientists should strive to develop a way for everyone to live forever. Paper books are better than e-books. Schools should have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways. Movie ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R) should be abolished.
Life and Ethics Discussion Topics
These topics encourage children to think about moral and ethical implications by using critical thinking and considering multiple perspectives. Questions like this can also help you write a persuasive essay.
Professional athletes and celebrities are entitled to make more money than the average person. Money can’t buy happiness. People have a responsibility to help each other. No one should ever lie. Girls are exposed to more peer pressure than boys. The voting age should be lowered to 12 years. All family members should do daily chores. All museums and zoos should be free to everyone. All people should be vegetarians. Democracy is the best form of government. All Americans should be required to vote. Cigarette smoking and e-cigarettes should be completely banned. Parents should be allowed to read their child’s personal diary. Giving is better than receiving. It is also good for children to receive pocket money on a regular basis. Parents should be punished for their children’s mistakes. A real Christmas tree is better than an artificial one. We shouldn’t keep animals in zoos. Humans should not eat animals. All children should play on the same sports team, regardless of gender. It’s better to save some of your pocket money than to spend all of it. Children should be allowed to stay up as late as they like. Happiness is more important than success. The driving age should be lowered to 14 years. Plastic bottles should be completely banned. Parents should take parenting classes before having children. If you find money on the ground, it automatically becomes yours. It’s better to be kind than honest. All children should have a playground or park within walking distance of their home. Children should be allowed to have credit cards. Spending money on space exploration is important.
Pop Culture Debate Topics for Middle School Students
Students may be surprised to find that their favorite movies, video games, TV shows, books, and more have many topics for discussion. These are light-hearted questions, but they can lead to surprisingly heated debates.
Darth Vader was ultimately a hero, not a villain. Werewolves are more dangerous than vampires. Hanging out with Oscar the Grouch would be more fun than hanging out with Big Bird. Robin Hood is not a hero, he is a thief. Harry Potter is better than Lord of the Rings. Disney’s animated classics are better than their live-action versions. The Mandalorian is better than the Star Wars trilogy. Minecraft isn’t as fun as it used to be. Scrabble must allow the use of unique names. The Settlers of Catan are better than Carcassonne. Taylor Swift is overrated as a musician.
Fun and interesting debate topics
Lightheartedly speaking, these debate topics may not be world-changing, but they’re still fun and engaging. Especially suitable for students trying debate for the first time.
Every family should have a pet. Dogs are better pets than cats. Summer is better than winter. Pepperoni is the best topping for pizza. Pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza. Teachers should not give out rewards or prizes in the classroom. Clowns are more scary than funny. Every household needs a robot. Intelligent life exists on other planets. The egg came before the chicken. Pop music is better than classical music. Xbox is better than PlayStation. Peanut butter is better than Nutella. Football is better than soccer. Everyone should make their bed every day. It’s better to be able to fly than be invisible. Pluto should still be considered a planet. Santa Claus’ elves should be paid minimum wage. Hot chocolate tastes better than chocolate milkshake. Fruit counts as dessert. People should be allowed to walk barefoot everywhere if they wish. Fiction is better than non-fiction. Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument. Children do not have to go to school on their birthday.
Controversial middle school debate topics
These middle school debate topics are quite controversial and may not be appropriate for every student or every classroom. But if your middle school student is ready to engage in more serious discussion, try these important questions.
We should abolish the death penalty. Stricter gun laws can help stop mass shootings. We need to continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico. Racism still exists in America. Schools should ban junk food. Religion does more harm than good. Artificial intelligence does more harm than good. The government should ban commercial fishing. We can never achieve world peace. Young children should not be allowed to play contact sports like soccer. Parents should not be allowed to pierce their baby’s ears. Beauty pageants are sexist. Children should not receive sports participation trophies. It is possible to be an ethical hunter. Some stereotypes are accurate. People have a responsibility to intervene if they witness a crime being committed. Sometimes war is necessary. Sometimes freedom of speech must be restricted. Safety is more important than freedom. We should abolish separate public toilets for men and women. Anyone over the age of 12 should be tried as an adult in court. Electric cars are better than gasoline cars. We should legalize, regulate, and tax all recreational drugs. Our society has a harmful “food culture.” All countries must give up their nuclear weapons. We should ban animal testing. The United States is not ready for a female president. Parents should be legally punished for their children’s crimes. We should ban the use of fossil fuels. No censorship required. Taxing unhealthy food would help fight obesity. Human cloning should be legal. Vaccines should be made compulsory.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable debate graphic organizer.
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These graphic organizers can be used in conjunction with the middle school debate topics listed above.
