50 topics to debate: controversial, controversial and interesting – Methods to Ligar

How do you know how to choose which topics to debate are interesting? You must take into account who you are going to talk about it with, if you know enough about it, what emotion you feel when talking about it, if it will be easy to research it…

To help you in this task, we have brought you 50 current debate topics that will help you choose the one that best suits you. This list includes interesting topics about politics, education and… much more!

1. Higher Education is important to be successful

It is a controversial topic that I assure you more than one will have different points of view on the matter. You can talk about the advantages or disadvantages of the educational system and personal development.

Mentioning personalities like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, who managed to create multi-million dollar empires without attending university, is a good way to object to this topic.

2. Education should focus on the growth of the individual

It is one of the most controversial topics whenever the educational curriculum is discussed at all levels. Whether it focuses on individual development to create beings that fully exploit their abilities or whether a strict training scheme is followed.

It is known that school curricula are developed to cover the interests of each nation, but is that the best for society and humanity? These are easily debatable questions on this topic.

3. Cell phones should be banned in schools and workplaces

It is one of the best topics for a panel discussion. The advantages and disadvantages of using cell phones have already been proven, both in schools and in the workplace.

They are a tool and we cannot imagine everyday life without it, but… what would happen if you fail a subject because you are absorbed in your phone? Or if an accident occurs at the workplace because you are paying attention to the phone?

You can also object that a telephone allows you to report any emergency in a timely manner, opens up the possibilities for knowledge, or records the class to pay full attention to the teacher’s explanation.

4. Early pregnancy

This is one of the most common interesting topics to present in class in high schools. It seeks to provide sexual education to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

You can debate why teenage pregnancies occur, what environments foster this type of situation, how it can be prevented, whether or not there is sufficient information and access to contraceptive methods, among other things.

5. Teaching English and other languages ​​should be mandatory in Basic Education

Languages ​​have become an everyday part of our daily lives, so this in particular is one of the most debated topics of youth interest today.

Some think that language study should be in private classes, while others have the concept that it should be included in the competencies of compulsory education.

If you are in favor of this idea, you can argue that this opens up job opportunities and increases a nation’s income growth. But, if you are against it, you can object that the benefit is only for the individual.

7. Monarchies

It is one of the most talked about topics to discuss in class when studying history. Some think that they should not exist, that they are only there to take advantage of the poorest.

Others, however, defend monarchies by saying that they maintain territorial peace. The truth is that, for this topic, you have to do a lot of research to be able to speak properly.

8. What do you think about religion and its contribution to modern society?

Do you think that the Churches contributed a lot to society?

9. The right to privacy

It is one of the topics of debate for young people that should be mentioned since they have access to the Internet. Social networks – and even email – access our information, private life and intimacy with our permission.

But what does this mean? What consequence does it have if our data is exposed? Does privacy really exist in the 21st century with all the technological gadgets? Do companies sell our private information?

These are some of the questions you can ask or answer when discussing this topic of great social interest.

10. Freedom of expression: right to give an opinion or right to offend?

If you’ve watched social media lately, you’ll have noticed that now you can’t say anything without offending someone. Could it be that the right to freely say what one thinks is being eliminated? Or have we become too sensitive?

It is one of the most controversial topics that currently exist and there is a lot to talk about about it. Some believe they can speak their minds without filters; others, that what is said should be limited.

But, really, what are the limits of freedom of expression? What is correct and what is not? Who decides this? What is politically correct to say? These are some of the ideas we can give you for this topic.

11. Abortion law

This is one of the current relevant topics that makes the most noise.

Perhaps because of how controversial it is, it is a delicate topic, but very interesting to discuss. Many arguments arise.

And endless arguments that you can easily think of, whether you are for or against.

12. Assisted dying law

It is considered another of the current debate topics for multiple reasons. It is a law that allows a person to acquire the necessary means to end their life legally.

It is a delicate topic very similar to abortion. There are those who are in favor and others against. Some of the most used arguments are:

In case of a terminal illness: if you are in favor, it is said that the patient’s prolonged suffering is alleviated by modern medicine. If you are against it, it is said that you are not following God’s will. It is considered that people are not mentally well. Some believe that it is a collaboration for a murder, by granting the means for someone to put an end to his life.

13. Should genetic engineering be legal?

You may think it’s complicated to talk about this. But, the truth is, just read a little about the experiments that are being done or want to be done in the medical field.

Genetic engineering includes cloning, sex selection, DNA modification and anything that involves altering the normal course of nature.

If you are in favor, you can argue that diseases can be eradicated. But if you are against it, object by saying that this will affect the environment in a negative way, without control or measure.

14. Barbie and other cartoons as a good example for children

It is one of the current topics of debate among parents. Most cartoons are considered by some to be harmful to children’s brain development; while others claim that—in addition to distracting them—they teach them things about life.

For example, Barbie. The children see her as a strong, confident woman who achieves what she sets out to do; while some people say that it is a bad physical example for girls, with unrealistic measurements of a healthy body.

Another example could be Peppa Pig, the famous children’s cartoon of a family of pigs. Some consider it innocent, but many parents, doctors and even countries believe that it is one of the worst children’s cartoons for the development of the child.

15. Gender violence: Is it the same for men as for women?

It is currently considered one of the interesting topics to expose young people of all ages. Although violence against men exists and is real, it is often not taken into account due to the stigma of being men.

But when it is towards man, little is known about it. It may vary according to the country’s legislation.

16. Social networks and their responsibility with society

Are social networks like Facebook and Twitter responsible for what appears on their platforms?

17. Legality of alcohol

Alcohol consumption is very common in all societies and, despite there being laws to regulate it, it is a very powerful drug capable of suppressing the central nervous system, causing accidents and even death.

Many believe that its consumption should be prohibited as if it were any other drug, due to the number of consequences that its consumption brings: addiction, destruction of families, serious health problems, economic problems…

But others think that the problem is not alcohol, but excessive consumption and lack of education and awareness when drinking it.

18. Bellies for rent

Also known as surrogacy, it is something that has become very popular nowadays thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian or Cristiano Ronaldo. But, the truth is that there is much more behind this.

Arguments such as that it is not legal in many countries, women and children are treated as objects, adoption also exists, it is a very expensive treatment where only the doctor benefits… they can help you if you think this practice is incorrect.

If you think it is a good thing, you can say that it helps people become parents without the need for the trauma of going through adoption paperwork, the parents will be there from the moment of pregnancy and will live the entire pregnancy of the baby.

19. Death penalty: does the State become a murderer?

Perhaps it is a topic of much controversy due to what is involved: ending a person’s life. Thinking that a jury has the power to decide whether someone lives or not is difficult.

But there are two counterparts that weigh in on this issue:

If you are in favor: the taxes will not be used to keep a prisoner for life in prison, but will be useful for other things in society, it will not “harm” the minds of other prisoners, there will be no overcrowding in prisons. In case you are against the death penalty: no one should decide over another person’s life, it does not necessarily have to be supported by taxes, being imprisoned is punishment enough for any human.

20. Migration

It is one of the interesting topics for a Middle Education exhibition. You can talk about the benefits and disadvantages that it brings: what happens if the event occurs on a massive scale?

It can be mentioned that, thanks to globalization and accessibility to travel, this is an event that occurs more frequently every day. If done in a controlled manner, it can bring great benefits to the receiving nation.

21. Environmental pollution

Although it may seem difficult to believe, even today there are people who believe that environmental pollution is a myth or that it is only garbage and pollution due to industries.

Here you can discuss what is considered environmental pollution, some laws that promote prevention and protection of the environment, why noise is considered environmental pollution, how this has affected animals…

22. Piracy

We are not referring to organized thieves on the high seas, but to copyright infringement. Especially in Latin American countries it is very common to see the sale and download of music and movies without paying for the use license.

Many think that it is something without…