Controversial debate topics are always interesting! Hearing both sides of a passionate or heated argument can be eye-opening and can help open the minds of others to a new perspective! Whether in public schools or private schools, many topics can be debated by students that can have varied viewpoints and opinions. Check out this extensive list of 150 controversial issues and debate questions which are sure to spark ongoing discussion!
Social Topics:
1. Is it fair to expect people to take drug tests in order to receive government assistance?
2. Has technology had an impact on the level of laziness in society?
3. Should the death penalty still exist?
4. Should voting should be required for all citizens?
5. Should the voting age be lowered?
6. Is the minimum wage a fair, and reasonable, livable wage in the United States?
7. How can cyberbullying be prevented?
8. Will cryptocurrency take the place of our current currency?
9. Should a specific daily leisure time be exchanged for a yearly vacation?
10. Is the best government structure democracy?
11. Should same-sex marriage be allowed?
12. Should drug legalization happen in the United States?
13. Does social media have an impact on mental illness?
14. Do white people have a different perspective than people of other races?
15. Will public libraries disappear in time?
16. Is world peace even a remote possibility?
17. Is it wrong for devices to listen to your conversations?
18. Human trafficking is one of the greatest problems in our current society.
19. Should immigrants automatically be granted citizenship?
20. Are immigrants a problem or a benefit?
21. Is gun control fair and appropriate?
22. People should be fined for crimes based on their income.
23. Should abortion be considered acceptable if the unborn baby is sick?
24. Can blind people be considered racist?
25. Is art therapy beneficial to mental health wellness?
26. Smartphones can actually damage our IQs.
27. Is it ethical for doctors to promote medications?
28. Is it fair for people without health insurance to still receive health care?
29. Is space exploration still important?
30. Educators should be paid more than professional athletes.
Science, Technology, and Environmental Topics:
31. Do aliens really exist?
32. Is animal testing something that should be completely banned?
33. Is plastic something we should still be making?
34. Should all people have the right to internet access?
35. Is our society too reliant on technology?
36. Should there be a limit on how many plastic bags can be used by each person?
37. Cybersecurity is not very protective.
38. Is global warming something that can be prevented?
39. Electric vehicles can solve the issue of pollution.
40. Technology isolates people and makes them lonely.
Health Topics:
41. Considering obese people, should obesity be considered a personal problem or more of a problem of society for American life?
42. Should there be a legal age for teens to drink energy drinks?
43. Should abortion be allowed?
44. Should vaccinations be mandatory for educational institutions and job places?
45. Because Covid is so widespread, should everyone be required to get the vaccine?
46. Dieting is a serious danger to your overall health.
47. Should marijuana be allowed for use recreationally?
48. Should junk food and fast food be banned in schools?
49. You should be able to buy HIV tests at the store, like pregnancy tests.
50. Should soda be banned?
51. Is genetic testing immoral?
52. Is suicide assistance immoral for terminally ill patients?
53. Should there be a limit on how many pets people can own?
54. Would be taxing sugary and junk foods prevent obesity?
55. Should fast food restaurants be banned?
Education Topics:
56. Should a college education be paid for by the federal government?
57. Are private schools better than public schools?
58. Is online schooling better than traditional schooling for public school students?
59. Should teachers be allowed to carry guns to work each day?
60. Should homework still be given in K-12 schools in this day and age?
61. Should K-12 schools require students to take a whole course about responsibility?
62. Is corporal punishment in schools a fair thing to keep around?
63. Would it be better for students to wear school uniforms?
64. Should religious beliefs be kept out of schools completely?
65. Should public service work be a punishment for teenagers who get into trouble at school?
66. Should all fees be stopped for schooling?
67. Condoms should be available at school.
68. Should all students be provided with laptops at school?
69. Should the high school where students go, also provide child care for students with children of their own?
70. School should only be four days per week.
71. Should all students be required to experience work life by getting a part-time job?
72. Teachers should be allowed to carry guns as protection.
73. Should students be tracked online at school?
74. Should cell phones be allowed in classrooms?
75. Should girls be confined to an all-girls school?
76. Should schools allow personal days for students when they need a break?
77. Should charter schools be banned?
78. Is cheating ok if you studied too?
79. Students should be able to choose to skip a grade if they want.
80. Video games should take the place of assignments at school.
Other Interesting Topics:
81. Is dance really a sport?
82. Should there be a minimum age for a babysitter?
83. Should a parent have the right to pierce their child’s ears?
84. Should nuclear weapons be allowed in any way or should they be totally banned?
85. Should violent video games be banned for children of certain ages if they display too much aggression and violence?
86. Should middle school students have a cell phone?
87. Are beauty contests an ethical issue?
88. Should state borders still exist?
89. Couples should not be allowed to adopt from overseas countries.
90. Children are given too many trophies in present-day times.
91. Cell phones shouldn’t be given to children under the age of 16.
92. Hunting should be better controlled in only certain areas.
93. Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
94. Should pregnant teenagers be allowed to keep their babies?
95. Should homeless people be allowed to keep pets?
96. Children need virtual recess instead of physical recess.
97. Is a woman’s place within a home to take care of the kids and the home?
98. Is suicide ever the answer?
99. Should computer gaming be considered a sport?
100. The world would be more productive with more women leaders.
101. Boarding school is harmful to mental health and should be banned.
102. Should citizens who are eligible to vote and don’t, be fined?
103. Children should be taught about different forms of sexuality.
104. Students should never be allowed to be expelled from school.
105. Does the amount of streetlights in a neighborhood correlate with the amount of crime?
106. Should underage repeat offenders be tried as adults in court?
107. Is health care in prison up to standards?
108. The Olympics is outdated and should stop.
109. College students should be drug tested regularly.
110. Exams should be given online in the comfort of your own home.
Arts and Culture:
111. Do video games contribute to youth violence?
112. Should cultural artifacts be returned to their country of origin?
113. Is fashion a form of art?
114. Does the accessibility of music streaming devalue artists’ work?
115. Should movies and TV shows be more politically correct?
116. Are awards shows like the Oscars still relevant?
117. Does the rise of e-books devalue the traditional book industry?
118. Can art be separated from the artist?
119. Should public funding be used for the arts?
120. Is it important to preserve traditional forms of art in the digital age?
Economic Issues:
121. Should companies be taxed more heavily for environmental damage?
122. Is a cashless society a good idea?
123. Should countries adopt a four-day workweek?
124. Can trickle-down economics effectively boost an economy?
125. Are trade unions still relevant today?
126. Should countries cancel student debt?
127. Is economic globalization beneficial for all countries involved?
128. Should governments invest more in public transportation?
129. Can entrepreneurship solve unemployment issues?
130. Is it ethical for companies to profit from healthcare?
Environmental Issues:
131. Are zoos ethical in the context of animal rights?
132. Should hydraulic fracking be banned due to environmental concerns?
133. Is organic farming truly better for the environment?
134. Should there be stricter regulations on pesticide use?
135. Is the current focus on renewable energy overshadowing the need for energy conservation?
136. Are electric vehicles the best solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
137. Should countries be held accountable for their historical carbon emissions?
138. Does ecotourism benefit or harm the environment?
139. Is overpopulation a key environmental concern?
140. Should we invest more in space exploration as a solution to Earth’s resources running out?
Global Affairs:
141. Are trade wars beneficial or harmful for countries involved?
142. Should NATO’s role be reevaluated in the 21st century?
143. Can sanctions effectively deter countries from breaching international laws?
144. Is it ethical to use drones in warfare?
145. Should the International Criminal Court have more power?
146. Does the concept of ‘national sovereignty’ hinder global cooperation?
147. Are the Sustainable Development Goals realistic?
148. Is the concept of a ‘global citizen’ feasible?
149. Should immigration laws be more lenient?
150. Can international diplomacy effectively address climate change?