180 Debate Topics: From Fun and Easy to Controversial and Thought-Provoking

What comes to your mind when you think of ancient Greece and Rome?

Probably togas, temples, and some really cool artwork. But if you think about it a little more, I’m sure representative government also comes to mind. After all, the Greeks started democracy, and Rome was known for its republican style of government. At the heart of these representative governments was the debate.

Roman senators debated the most important issues of their day on the floor of the Forum, and centuries later, our ancestors adopted Roman and Greek-style governments.

And with it the idea of a debate! And ever since, debating has become a regular part of most modern societies.

You’ve probably already had a number of informal debates with your friends and family members over anything ranging from your favorite type of ice cream to hot-button political issues. And as you get older and continue on with your education, you’ll learn that debates are often a formal part of many college courses.

You may even find yourself assigned to develop a debate for a class.

Up to this point, you may consider yourself a top-tier paper writer, so get prepared to take things to the next level and become an expert debater.

Keep reading to learn what makes a good debate topic, as well as 180 debate topics to get your imagination stirring.

What Makes a Good Debate Topic?

This may seem like a straightforward question, but several variables need to be considered. If you’ve been assigned to develop a debate for a class, you’ll have to figure out whether the professor/teacher wants funny debate topics or something more serious. So, with that in mind, consider these points:

The Topic Should be Interesting and Relevant
This is especially true if there’s an audience. You want everyone involved in the debate, from the actual debaters to the audience, to be engaged and on the edge of their seats. Try to avoid boring topics, but if you’ve been assigned an apparently boring topic, try to make it relevant to the class.
Make Sure That the Topic Has Two Sides
There are some topics that most people will agree with: murder is wrong, stealing is wrong, etc. So, make sure that your debate topic has plenty of people who support both sides.
Evidence Is Important
Although debates should be passionate and opinionated, a good argument should be supported by data and other evidence. Mentioning academic studies and data points during a debate is a good way to win people to your side.

Now that you know what makes a good debate topic, let’s look at 180 excellent debate topics.

Good Debate Topics

Should AI be more tightly controlled by the government?
Should governments give their citizens a basic income?
The benefits, or drawbacks, of polygamy
Travel the world or stay close to home?
Should pets be given more rights in society?
Are voting rights too restrictive or not restrictive enough?
Should famous people be held to higher moral standards?
Are digital devices reducing our critical thinking skills?
Argue for or against more taxes
Should daylight savings time be eliminated?

Best Debate Topics

Is freedom or equality better in society?
Is nurture or nature more important to outcomes?
Should the police have more or less power?
Should governments attempt to end income inequality?
Do men and women do some things better than the other?
Should religion play a role in government?
Drug offenders should be given jail time
Should the legal drinking age be raised or lowered?
Argue that governments are most effective at the local level
Should military service be mandatory?

Fun Debate Topics

Do aliens live among us?
Does everyone really love clowns?
What’s the best alcohol to drink with Italian food?
Should best friends be picked on humor alone?
What’s better: cake or pie?
Argue for or against dressing pets up like people
What’s better: Star Wars or Star Trek?
Should comedy be a part of any physical rehab program?
Are two-lane highways better than interstate highways, or vice versa?
What’s the best carnival/fair food?

Funny Debate Topics for Adults

Is a hot shower the best cure for a hangover?
Should there be “new rules” for dating in middle age?
Why is “Florida Man” a good or bad thing?
Should liquor stores have free giveaway promotions?
Should the tax code be written for people with low IQs?
Should there be a limit on how many selfies an adult takes?
Should offices have masseuses on site for their employees?
Argue in favor of propane or charcoal grilling
What’s your favorite soft drink and why?
Is it worse to be a short man or an overweight woman?

Silly Debate Questions

Would a mummy defeat a vampire in a fight?
Should everyone be required to do at least one headstand in their lives?
Should all workplaces have a dedicated nap room?
Should world leaders do “paper, rock, scissors” instead of war?
Is a hot dog a type of sandwich?
Should the government try to make Jurassic Park a reality?
If a werewolf is bitten by a zombie, does it become a zombie-werewolf?
Laser tag or paintball is a better game to hone your combat skills
How many forks and spoons are too many?
Should bosses who make mistakes be required to wear silly costumes?

Unique Debate Topics

The best scholars to uncover the past: historians or archeologists?
What’s more possible: time travel or traveling faster than light speed?
Would conquering an alien race be right if it ensured the survival of humanity?
Should robots be trained for warfare?
Should nations be forced to be peaceful through the threat of military force?
Should AI “deepfakes” be illegal?
Should AI be used to predict “pre-crimes”
Everyone should have free access to AI
Should we extract all available fossil fuels?
Argue for or against gene editing in humans

Interesting Debate Topics

Should museums and libraries be taxpayer subsidized?
Should the government subsidize farmers?
Argue that AI can produce art as well as humans can
Public transportation should be free in every city
Is the term “peacekeeping force” an oxymoron?
Should there be a minimum age to access social media?
Should vehicles be manufactured to be safer or cleaner for the environment?
Is a global government a good thing?
Are ethics more applicable in modern society than morals?
Should good hygiene be enforced by the government?

Controversial Debate Topics

Argue that governments should be stricter or looser with gun laws
Argue that abortion should be totally banned or 100% legal
Should governments dictate the type of education children receive?
Should prostitution be legal?
Should nuclear weapons be banned?
Should the legal age of adulthood be lowered or raised?
Voting should be done online
Argue that dictatorships are better because they can get more things done
Biological racial differences are real
Should science attempt to blend technology with humans?

Hot Topics to Debate

Argue that Taylor Swift is the world’s greatest entertainer
Are animated films the future of the industry?
Argue for the best spectator sport
Is “Group 7” just another social media fad?
Should parents discourage social media trends?
Should Wes Watson go back to prison for assault?
Has the Marvel franchise reached critical mass, or not?
Should professional athletes be paid more, or less?
Is Tom Cruise still an A-list actor?
Argue that Squid Game will change American television

Easy Debate Topics

Should every family have at least one pet?
Argue that the book version of a story is better than the movie, or vice versa
What’s better: cats or dogs?
Argue that breakfast food for dinner/supper is good
Should companies promote exercise at work?
Should all new construction be “carbon neutral”?
Should governments do more to enforce healthy diets?
What’s better: ice cream or sorbet?
Should there be a limit on the world’s population?
What’s better: cities, suburbs, or rural areas?

Common Debate Topics

Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?
Is bigger always better?
Can money buy happiness?
Argue that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or not
Can a person “learn” to love someone?
Is patriotism always a good thing?
Is it okay to let one person die to save many?
Is the pen mightier than the sword?
Nurture or nature: which is more important?
Are men and women equal?

Debate Topics by Age & Audience

Debate Topics for Kids

Should kids be taught martial arts from a young age?
Is it better to be the oldest or youngest child?
Should cartoons be more educational?
Which is better: time travel or space travel?
Should there be a longer Christmas break if that means a shorter summer break?
Should kindergarten be eliminated?
Should kids be forced to eat school lunches?
Should recess time be extended?
Should kids be allowed to bring their pets to school?
Should kids have allowances?

Debate Topics for Middle School

Should automotive classes be taught in middle school?
Is middle school too young to date?
Should music classes be mandatory?
Children should be allowed to have secrets
Do tweens deserve more freedom?
Argue that organized sports are an important part of middle school
Should the minimum working age be lowered?
Argue that there should be video game classes
Should class trips be mandatory?
Should tweens be required to do more chores at home?

Debate Topics for High School

Should high school students focus on studies instead of their social lives?
Should more resources be dedicated to helping students with learning disabilities?
Argue that it should be easier or tougher to get a driver’s license
Should more or less emphasis be placed on college entrance exams?
Should physical education be removed from high school curricula?
Should internet access be unrestricted on high school campuses?
Argue that sex education should, or shouldn’t, be taught in high school
Should schools give birth control to students?
How much of a police presence should be in schools?
Should schools provide free laptops for every student?

Debate Topics for Teens

Should parents require their teens to get part-time jobs?
Should the government do more to address teen mental health issues?
Should the government do more to combat teen vaping?
What’s better: tacos or pizza?
Should religion play an important role in teens’ lives?
Are teens too young to get involved in politics?
Can peer pressure be a good thing?
What’s the best video game console?
Should teens be punished for talking back to their parents?
Are smartphones a net positive or negative for society?

Debate Topics for College Students

Should cheaters be automatically expelled from college?
Should college administrators do more to combat binge drinking?
Should cannabis be allowed on college campuses in states where it’s legal?
Are college degrees worth the debt?
Are vocational/technical schools good alternatives to traditional colleges?
Should race be considered in college admissions?
Should universities invest more in smart technologies?
Foreign films or Hollywood?
Should the legal voting age be raised or lowered?
Should colleges give free coffee to their students?

Debate Topics for Adults

Is it better to be respected or feared?
Is it too expensive to start a family today?
Should parents spank their children?
Argue for the benefits of extended families
Should adults with children be held to higher moral standards?
Is it okay to teach your kids to question authority?
Should married couples always put their children first?
Argue that single people have it better, or worse, than their married peers
Is it important to be married in a religious ceremony?
Should parents play a role in who their adult children marry?

Arguing is the Foundation of Democracy

The next time you get into a spirited debate among friends or in the classroom, just remember that you’re upholding a democratic tradition that began with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The more you debate, the more you’ll see that your academic skills and abilities will improve.

Debating will make you a better public speaker and raise your self-confidence. You’ll also find that writing and participating in debates will help your writing, particularly in how to write concisely.

So, the next time your teacher or professor wants some volunteers to debate an issue, don’t be afraid. Raise your hand and offer your well-thought-out, reasoned opinion.