List of Debate Topics for Middle School (Controversial)

There are many possible debate topics for middle school students, depending on their interests and level of difficulty. Some common debate topics are:

  • Should there be school uniforms or a dress code?
  • Is the death penalty an effective punishment?
  • Should sports be a part of middle school?
  • Should junk food be banned in schools?
  • Should students have homework every night?
  • Should animal testing be allowed for scientific purposes?
  • Should social media be regulated by the government?
  • Should video games be considered a form of art?
  • Are zoos ethical or cruel?
  • Should students be allowed to use cell phones in class?

Education Related

There are many possible debate topics for middle school students related to education. Some of them are:

  • Should there be school uniforms or a dress code?
  • Should junk food be banned in schools?
  • Should students have homework every night?
  • Should students be allowed to use cell phones in class?
  • Should students be graded on their effort or their achievement?
  • Should schools teach cursive writing or typing skills?
  • Should schools have more art and music classes or more STEM classes?
  • Should schools start later in the morning or end earlier in the afternoon?
  • Should students be allowed to choose their own subjects or follow a fixed curriculum?
  • Should physical education be mandatory for all students?
  • Should schools ban junk food to promote healthy eating habits among students?
  • Is homework helpful or harmful for students’ academic performance?
  • Should schools require students to wear uniforms?
  • Is it necessary to teach handwriting in the digital age?
  • Should students be allowed to use cell phones in the classroom?
  • Should schools have year-round schooling instead of the traditional summer break?
  • Should schools teach financial literacy to middle school students?
  • Should schools allow students to take mental health days?
  • Should schools replace textbooks with digital resources?
  • Should students be required to learn a second language in middle school?
  • Should schools offer more vocational training programs for students who do not want to go to college?
  • Should schools teach computer coding as a required course?
  • Should schools teach students how to handle money and finances?
  • Should students be required to take physical education classes every day?
  • Should schools eliminate grades and report cards?
  • Should schools teach students about climate change and environmental issues?
  • Should schools offer more opportunities for students to participate in community service projects?
  • Should schools implement mindfulness meditation as part of the curriculum?
  • Should schools teach gun safety and gun control?
  • Should schools allow students to opt out of standardized testing?

Social Issues

  • Here are some debate topics for middle school related to social issues:
  • Should social media be regulated by the government?
  • Should animal testing be banned for scientific purposes?
  • Should juveniles be tried and treated as adults?
  • Should teenagers (13+) be allowed to vote in political elections?
  • Should everyone who is eligible to vote in political elections be required to do so?
  • Should immigration laws be more lenient or more strict?
  • Should gay marriage be legal in all countries?
  • Should abortion be legal or illegal?
  • Should euthanasia or assisted suicide be legal or illegal?
  • Should schools teach sex education or abstinence-only education?
  • Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling?
  • Should children be allowed to have a social media presence?
  • Is it important to have gender-neutral restrooms in schools?
  • Should children be allowed to choose their own gender identity?
  • Should children be allowed to have cell phones before they reach a certain age?
  • Should children be allowed to participate in peaceful protests?
  • Should children be allowed to make their own decisions about their medical care?
  • Should children be allowed to get tattoos or piercings?
  • Should parents be held responsible for their children’s behavior?
  • Should children be allowed to wear religious symbols to school?
  • Should schools ban clothing with offensive messages or symbols?
  • Should schools have a dress code for students?
  • Should children be allowed to watch R-rated movies?
  • Should children be allowed to have access to birth control without their parents’ knowledge?
  • Should children be allowed to have a say in family decisions, such as moving or getting a divorce?
  • Should children be allowed to use public restrooms of the gender they identify with?
  • Should children be allowed to play violent video games?
  • Should children be allowed to have a job before they turn 16?
  • Should children be allowed to choose their own religion?

Technology

  • Here are some debate topics for middle school related to technology:
  • Does technology have a negative effect on our lives?
  • Should students be allowed to use cell phones in class?
  • Should video games be considered a form of art?
  • Should social media be regulated by the government?
  • Should all cars be electric?
  • Can self-driving cars ever be 00% safe?
  • Is artificial intelligence a danger or a benefit to humankind?
  • Has social media improved or impeded communication?
  • Should schools use more technology or less technology in teaching?
  • Should online learning replace traditional learning?
  • Should kids be allowed to have unlimited screen time?
  • Is it better to learn with technology or without technology?
  • Should children be allowed to have their own social media accounts?
  • Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in toys and games for children?
  • Should schools use tablets or textbooks for learning?
  • Should children be allowed to use virtual reality technology?
  • Should children be allowed to have their own YouTube channels?
  • Is it ethical for companies to collect data on children’s online behavior?
  • Should parents monitor their children’s online activity?
  • Should children be allowed to have their own personal assistant devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa?
  • Should schools require students to take a technology class?
  • Should children be allowed to use mobile devices during class?
  • Should schools use facial recognition technology for security purposes?
  • Should children be allowed to use email and messaging apps without parental supervision?
  • Should children be allowed to use online chat rooms or forums?
  • Should schools use computer algorithms to determine students’ grades?
  • Should children be allowed to play violent video games?
  • Should children be allowed to have their own smartphones before the age of 13?
  • Should children be taught how to code and program computers?
  • Should virtual reality technology be used to teach history and other subjects in school?

Environment

  • Here are some debate topics for middle school related to environment:
  • Should plastic bags be banned to reduce waste and protect the environment?
  • Is climate change caused by humans or is it a natural phenomenon?
  • Should zoos be banned to protect animal rights and prevent animal abuse?
  • Should recycling be mandatory in all households and businesses?
  • Should cars be banned in cities to reduce air pollution?
  • Should we build more wind turbines and solar panels to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels?
  • Should deforestation be banned to preserve our natural resources and protect wildlife?
  • Should we use reusable straws instead of disposable plastic straws to reduce plastic waste?
  • Should we eat less meat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect animal rights?
  • Should we create more national parks to preserve our natural resources and protect wildlife?
  • Should we ban single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles and plastic utensils, to reduce plastic waste?
  • Should we use electric cars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment?
  • Should we use public transportation more to reduce our carbon footprint?
  • Should we invest more in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels?
  • Should we ban the use of pesticides to protect our water sources and wildlife?
  • Should we create more bike lanes and walking paths to reduce air pollution and encourage exercise?
  • Should we clean up our oceans to protect marine life and reduce plastic waste?
  • Should we protect endangered species, even if it means limiting human activity in certain areas?
  • Should we encourage composting and reduce food waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Should we increase funding for environmental research and conservation efforts?
  • Should nuclear energy be used to replace fossil fuels?
  • Is climate change a natural phenomenon or a man-made problem?
  • Should plastic bags be banned or taxed?
  • Should people eat less meat for environmental reasons?
  • Should solar panels be required in each household?
  • Should private cars be banned in large cities?
  • Are the wealthy more accountable for environmental harm than the poor?
  • Should zoos and aquariums be closed or regulated?
  • Should fracking be allowed or banned?
  • Should schools have more environmental education or more practical skills education?

Ethnic & Morality

Here are some debate topics for middle school related to ethnic & morality:

  • Should animals have the same rights as humans?
  • Is it ever okay to lie?
  • Should people be punished for thoughts or intentions, even if they don’t act on them?
  • Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
  • Should we always tell the truth, even if it hurts someone’s feelings?
  • Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their baby through genetic engineering?
  • Is it ethical to use the death penalty as punishment for crimes?
  • Should we forgive people who have committed heinous crimes?
  • Should we prioritize individual rights or the greater good of society?
  • Is it ethical to donate money to charity if it is done for personal gain or publicity?
  • Should people be allowed to use drugs, even if it harms their health?
  • Is it ever okay to break the law to stand up for what you believe in?
  • Should people be allowed to make their own decisions about their medical treatment, even if it goes against their religion?
  • Is it ethical to use social media to shame or bully others?
  • Should people be allowed to keep exotic pets?
  • Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
  • Should people be allowed to own firearms for self-defense?
  • Should people be allowed to use their personal beliefs as an excuse for discrimination or prejudice?
  • Should people be allowed to sell their organs for profit?
  • Should people be required to disclose any conflicts of interest when making important decisions?
  • Is abortion ethical?
  • Should assisted suicide be legal?
  • Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
  • Should the death penalty be abolished?
  • Is it morally wrong to clone animals or humans?
  • Is it wrong to censor offensive or harmful speech?
  • Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
  • Is religion the ultimate source of morality?
  • Should schools have dress codes or uniforms?
  • Should students be allowed to use cell phones in class?
  • Should junk food be banned from schools?
  • Should homework be abolished or reduced?
  • Should students be paid for good grades?