150 Debate Topics for Middle School Students (Free Printables!)

When students learn to debate, they gain valuable life skills. Debates teach kids to research their topic, make informed choices, and argue effectively using facts instead of emotion. This list of middle school debate topics encompasses both serious and lighthearted ideas for kids ages 10 to 14. Each topic includes a link to an article from a reliable source that provides pros and/or cons to help kids make their arguments.

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Debate Graphic Organizers

These free graphic organizers make it easy for kids to research and plan for debates. You’ll also get a list of handy debate rules to share with students! Just click the button below to get them.

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The Week Junior’s Big Debate section is in every issue!

Here’s a great way to have a new debate topic every week. The Big Debate section in The Week Junior presents two sides of an issue fairly to encourage discussion and allow readers to form their own opinions. To use it effectively, have students research both sides of the argument, consider the presented points, and then form their own opinion about it.

Teacher Tips: How To Use This Middle School Debate Topics List

When you teach students in grades 6 to 8 how to debate, they learn to think critically, speak clearly, and express disagreement without disrespect. Try these tips for classroom activities using our list of middle school debate topics.

1. Pick the right topics

Engage inexperienced or reluctant debaters with simple, fun topics like “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” As students build their skills, move on to topics relevant to the lives of middle school kids, such as “Should students be allowed to wear hats at school?” For a real challenge, use age-appropriate controversial debate topics like “Should schools be allowed to limit a student’s freedom of speech?”

2. Mix up debate formats

Standard head-to-head debates feel a little overwhelming, especially for tweens. Instead, try debate activities like these:

• Four Corners: Pose a debate question like “Which school subject is the most valuable later in life?” Assign each corner of your room one possible answer (ELA, Science, Math, Social Studies), and ask students to move to the corner of the room that represents their opinion. Once there, kids work together to formulate an argument for their point of view.
• Pair and Share: Instead of arguing out a topic in front of the whole class, partner kids up and have them each take a side and have an informal (but respectful) discussion instead. This is great for those who feel a little uncertain speaking in front of groups.
• Imaginary Debate: Kids work in groups or on their own to write out an imaginary debate on a topic, giving both points of view as they spell out the hypothetical conversation.

3. Practice debating both sides

As tweens get started with debate topics, let them choose which point of view they’d like to defend. They’ll be more engaged when they get to argue what they really believe. But it’s also important to encourage students to consider alternate opinions, even those they strongly disagree with personally. From time to time, assign students to argue the opposite point of view. It’s a challenge, but they’ll learn so much from the experience!

4. Encourage research and debate prep

Whether your middle school debate topic is serious or silly, don’t let kids dive right into the debate. Instead, ask them to think critically about the question, plan out their arguments, and look for evidence to support their point of view. To help get kids started, each of the debate topics on our list includes a link to a reputable source that provides pros and/or cons of each topic.

Tip: Our debate graphic organizers make this process clear and easy—grab your free copies to get started!

5. Focus on communicating with respect

Learning to listen to others and disagree with respect takes practice, especially for tweens. Insist that each debater be given time to share their point of view without interruption. Teach kids to use respectful phrases like “I hear what you’re saying, but …” or “That’s a good point, but have you considered this?” Remind them that they’re debating an idea, not a person—personal attacks have no place in a respectful debate.

6. Reflect after the debate

While traditional debates declare a “winner,” middle school students will learn more from a thoughtful discussion or written reflection after the debate instead. Ask debate reflection questions like these:

• What was your point of view before the debate and after the debate? Did it change? Why or why not?
• What arguments did you find most convincing and least convincing?
• Did the debaters treat each other with respect? Give examples of their respectful debate behaviors.

With these tips in mind, take a look at our huge list of debate topics for grades 6 to 8. You’ll find something here for every student and classroom!

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School and Education Debate Topics for Middle School

Students love to debate topics related to school rules, homework, and teachers. These issues are ideal for engaging middle grade kids in some of their first debates. Remember to click the links for reliably sourced pros and cons on each topic!

1. It’s better to be good at academics than to be good at sports.
2. Homework should be banned.
3. Schools should require all students to wear uniforms.
4. Schools should teach survival and life skills.
5. Students should be allowed to wear hats at school.
6. We should punish students for using curse words.
7. Year-round school is better for students.

8. Schools should require physical education (gym class) through 12th grade.
9. All students should be required to volunteer in their community.
10. Junk food should be banned in schools.
11. All middle school students should learn a foreign language.
12. Single-gender schools are better for students.
13. Math is the most important school subject.
14. Letter grades should be abolished.
15. Teachers should be replaced by computers.
16. Students should be graded on their handwriting.
17. Kids who get better grades in school will be more successful in life.
18. Sometimes it’s OK to cheat on homework or a test.
19. Students who fail a test should be given the chance to take it again.
20. Students should be allowed to grade teachers.
21. Kids should be able to bring their pets to school.
22. Schools should give middle school students more recess time.

23. The school day should be shorter.
24. Schools should eliminate dress codes.
25. College should be free for everyone who wants to attend.
26. Schools should be allowed to ban some books from their libraries.
27. Book smarts are better than street smarts.

28. All people should have free internet access.
29. Playing violent video games makes people more likely to be violent in real life.
30. Reality television depicts real life.
31. Spending money to explore space is worthwhile.
32. Paper bags are better than plastic ones.
33. Our society is too reliant on technology.
34. GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are safe for human consumption and the environment.
35. The minimum age to own a smartphone should be 16.

36. Students should be allowed to use phones in class.
37. Macs are better than PCs.
38. Androids are better than iPhones.
39. Kids under 13 should be allowed to use social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
40. Students should not be allowed to watch TV on school nights.
41. Social media does more harm than good.
42. Video games are better than board games.
43. Reading books is better than watching TV.
44. All paper documents should be replaced with electronic versions.
45. Books are always better than the movies that are made from them.
46. Parents should use their kids’ cell phones to track where they are.
47. Playing video games makes you smarter.

48. Scientists should try to develop a way for everyone to live forever.
49. Paper books are better than e-books.
50. Schools should have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways.
51. Movie ratings (G, PG, PG-13, and R) should be done away with.

52. Professional athletes and celebrities deserve to make more money than the average person.
53. Money can’t buy happiness.
54. People have a responsibility to help one another out.
55. No one should ever tell a lie.
56. Girls face more peer pressure than boys.
57. We should lower the voting age to 12.
58. Every member of a family should have daily chores.
59. All museums and zoos should be free to everyone.
60. All people should be vegetarians.

61. Democracy is the best form of government.
62. All Americans should be required to vote.
63. Cigarette smoking and vaping should be banned entirely.
64. Parents should be allowed to read their children’s private diaries.
65. Giving is better than receiving.
66. Receiving a regular allowance is good for kids.
67. Parents should be punished for their children’s mistakes.
68. Real Christmas trees are better than artificial ones.
69. We should not keep animals in zoos.
70. Humans should not eat animals.
71. All kids should play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender.
72. It is better to save some of your allowance than to spend it all.
73. Kids should be allowed to stay up as late as they want.
74. Happiness is more important than success.
75. The driving age should be lowered to 14.

76. We should completely ban plastic bottles.
77. Parents should have to take a parenting class before having a child.
78. If you find money on the ground, it’s automatically yours to keep.
79. It is better to be kind than to be truthful.
80. All kids should have a playground or park within walking distance of their home.
81. Kids should be allowed to have credit cards.
82. It’s important to spend money exploring space.

83. Darth Vader was ultimately a hero, not a villain.
84. Werewolves are more dangerous than vampires.
85. It would be more fun to hang out with Oscar the Grouch than with Big Bird.
86. Robin Hood is a thief, not a hero.
87. Harry Potter is better than The Lord of the Rings.
88. Animated Disney classics are better than the live-action versions.
89. The Mandalorian is better than the last Star Wars trilogy.
90. Minecraft isn’t as fun as it used to be.
91. Scrabble should allow the use of proper names.
92. Settlers of Catan is better than Carcassonne.
93. Taylor Swift is overrated as a musician.

Fun and Funny Middle School Debate Topics

Speaking of lighthearted, these debate topics may not be world-changing, but they’re still fun and engaging. They’re especially ideal for students who are just trying out debate for the first time. Get more fun and funny debate topics for students of all ages here!

94. All families should have a pet.
95. Dogs are better pets than cats.
96. Summer is better than winter.
97. Pepperoni is the best pizza topping.
98. Pineapple doesn’t belong on a pizza.
99. Teachers shouldn’t give rewards and prizes in the classroom.
100. Clowns are more scary than funny.
101. Every home should have a robot.
102. There is intelligent life on other planets.

103. The egg came before the chicken.
104. Pop music is better than classical music.
105. Xbox is better than PlayStation.
106. Peanut butter is better than Nutella.
107. Football is better than soccer.
108. Everyone should make their bed every day.
109. It would be better to be able to fly than to be able to turn invisible.
110. Pluto should still be considered a planet.
111. Santa Claus’ elves should be paid minimum wage.
112. Hot chocolate is better than a chocolate milkshake.
113. Fruit counts as dessert.
114. People should be allowed to go barefoot anywhere if they want to.
115. Fiction is better than nonfiction.

116. Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
117. Kids shouldn’t have to go to school on their birthdays.

These middle school debate topics are pretty contentious and might not be appropriate for all students or every classroom. But if your middle schoolers are ready to take on more serious debates, try these important questions. Looking for more? See our full list of controversial topics for students here.

118. We should abolish the death penalty.
119. Stricter gun control laws help stop mass shootings.
120. It’s necessary to continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico.
121. Segregation still exists in the United States.
122. Schools should ban junk food.
123. Religion does more harm than good.
124. Artificial intelligence does more harm than good.
125. Governments should ban commercial fishing.
126. We will never achieve world peace.
127. We shouldn’t allow young children to play contact sports like football.

128. Parents shouldn’t be allowed to pierce a baby’s ears.
129. Beauty pageants are sexist.
130. Kids shouldn’t get participation trophies for sports.
131. It’s possible to be an ethical hunter.
132. Some stereotypes are accurate.
133. People have a responsibility to step in when they see a crime in action.
134. War is sometimes necessary.
135. There are times when we must limit freedom of speech.
136. Security is more important than freedom.
137. We should do away with gender-specific public bathrooms.
138. Anyone over age 12 should be tried as an adult in court.
139. Electric vehicles are better than gas-powered ones.

140. We should legalize, regulate, and tax all recreational drugs.
141. Our society has a harmful “diet culture.”
142. All countries should have to give up their nuclear weapons.
143. We should ban testing on animals.
144. The United States is not ready for a woman president.
145. Parents should be legally punished for their children’s crimes.
146. We should ban the use of fossil fuels.
147. Censorship is unnecessary.
148. Taxing unhealthy foods would help fight obesity.
149. Human cloning should be legal.
150. Vaccines should be mandatory.

Middle School Debate Topics FAQs

What are the best debate topics for middle school students?

The best debate topics for middle schoolers are engaging, age-appropriate, and thought-provoking. Engage their interest with familiar themes like school rules, pop culture, or silly but controversial topics. Examples include “Should schools ban homework in middle school?,” “Is Minecraft better than Roblox?,” or “Is pepperoni the best pizza topping?”

How do you choose age-appropriate debate topics for middle schoolers?

Choose topics that match your students’ interest and abilities. They’ll especially enjoy questions relevant to their daily lives, like “Should middle schoolers be allowed to use social media?” Pop culture topics are fun too—try something related to a current trend like “Is collecting Labubu fun or a waste of money?” Avoid overly controversial topics unless students are experienced, mature debaters.

How can teachers prepare students for their first debate?

Help students learn to craft a clear claim and find well-sourced evidence to support it. Teach them to plan their rebuttals to counterarguments as well. Debate graphic organizers are perfect for this! Develop skills with lighthearted topics in informal discussions before moving on to more complex debates. Encourage respectful language and reflection during and after every debate activity.

What are the benefits of using fun or funny debate topics in middle school?

Lighthearted debate topics encourage participation and engagement in the classroom. Even reluctant debaters will enjoy fun and funny debate topics like “Would you rather be able to fly or turn invisible?” or “Does fruit count as a dessert?” Pop culture provides terrific fun debate topics too, such as “Is Darth Vader a hero or a villain?”

Why is debating important for middle school students?

Debating develops critical thinking and communication skills, teaching kids to speak clearly and listen respectfully. When middle school students debate, they practice supporting their opinions with evidence and learning to disagree with respect. These are skills they’ll find valuable throughout their entire lives.

Don’t forget to grab your free printable debate graphic organizers!

Use these free printable graphic organizers and debate rules with any of our middle school debate topics!

Plus, check out these debate resources for middle school!