At Talent Club Australia, we believe every child has a voice waiting to be heard. Through our SPEAKSCRAFT Program, we empower kids to #speakswithconfidence, turning shyness into strength and curiosity into articulate expression. One of the most effective ways to nurture these skills? Debating! Whether your child is in the first year of school or passing into his/her teens, a debate teaches how to think more deeply, have compassion for someone, and the art of persuasion.
Below are 74 debating topics suitable for kids of all ages – great for sparking lively debates at home, in a classroom, or as part of our structured debate activities.
Why Debating Matters for Kids
Debating is not merely arguing; it also brings about listening, analyzing, and communicating ideas in clear ways. According to the Australian School Curriculum standards, some important skills in this respect include “planning and delivering presentations” and “using appropriate voice levels and gestures”. Our SPEAKSCRAFT Program aligns with these standards, blending public speaking, debate, drama, and creative writing to build confidence that lasts a lifetime.
Debating also fosters:
- Creative thinking: Encouraging kids to explore diverse perspectives.
- Empathy: Understanding opposing viewpoints builds emotional intelligence.
- Confidence: Practicing articulation in a supportive environment.
Now, let’s dive into 74 topics for debate that cater to every age group and interest!
Debate Topics for Elementary Students (Grades 1–4)
These nice debate topics are simple, relatable, and designed to ignite curiosity:
- Should homework be banned for young kids?
- Is it better to have a longer recess or more art classes?
- Are pets better friends than people?
- Should every classroom have a class pet?
- Is summer break better than winter break?
- Are video games good for your brain?
- Should kids be allowed to choose their bedtime?
- Is reading books more fun than watching TV?
- Should schools teach cooking instead of math?
- Are robots going to replace teachers?
Why these work: Elementary-aged children thrive on topics tied to their daily lives. These interesting debate topics encourage them to voice opinions while practicing basic persuasive skills.
Debate Topics for Middle Schoolers (Grades 5–8)
Middle schoolers crave deeper discussions. These topics for debate challenge them to think critically:
11. Should social media accounts have age restrictions?
12. Is climate change the biggest threat to our future?
13. Are school uniforms outdated?
14. Should junk food ads be banned?
15. Is technology making us lonelier?
16. Should students grade their teachers?
17. Are zoos ethical?
18. Should all schools have mental health days?
19. Is learning a second language more important than coding?
20. Should parents limit screen time?
TCA Insight: At this stage, our coaches focus on “interaction skills” like paraphrasing and interpreting non-verbal cues—key components of our SPEAKSCRAFT Program.
Debate Topics for High Schoolers (Grades 9–12)
Teens are ready to tackle complex societal issues. These debating topics push them to research and articulate nuanced arguments:
21. Should voting be compulsory?
22. Should governments give everyone free money to end poverty?
23. Do test scores really show how smart someone is?
24. Should governments regulate artificial intelligence?
25. Is canceling culture harmful to free speech?
26. Should universities be free?
27. Is it safe to eat food that’s been changed in a lab?
28. Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?
29. Is spending billions on space exploration worth it?
30. Should social media platforms censor misinformation?
Skill development: High school debates in our program align with curriculum goals like “making appropriate choices for modality and emphasis” and “investigating evaluative language.”
Fun & Imaginative Debate Topics for All Ages
Sometimes, the silliest topics spark the most creativity! Try these nice debate topics for a lighthearted twist:
31. Are unicorns cooler than dragons?
32. Should pizza count as a vegetable because it has tomato sauce?
33. Could people actually travel through time one day?
34. Would you rather live underwater or on Mars?
35. Are superheroes better role models than sports stars?
36. Should chocolate be served with school lunches every day?
37. Are ghosts real?
38. Is it better to have a robot sibling or a pet dinosaur?
39. Should every day be pajama day at school?
40. Are aliens already living among us?
Ethical & Environmental Debate Topics
Inspire empathy and global awareness with these interesting debate topics:
41. Should plastic bottles be banned worldwide?
42. Is it ethical to eat meat?
43. Should fast fashion companies pay environmental taxes?
44. Are electric cars truly eco-friendly?
45. Should wildlife habitats override urban development?
46. Is it okay to test products on animals?
47. Should governments fund renewable energy over fossil fuels?
48. Are humans responsible for protecting endangered species?
49. Should single-use plastics be illegal?
50. Is overpopulation a myth?
Technology & Future-Focused Topics
Prepare kids for tomorrow’s challenges with these topics for debate:
51. Will AI replace human jobs?
52. Should adults have screen time limits too?
53. Are driverless cars safe for roads?
54. Should kindergartners start learning how to code?
55. Is virtual reality damaging social skills?
56. Are phones in classrooms helpful or distracting?
57. Can online friends be as real as friends you see face-to-face?
58. Should social media influencers have age restrictions?
59. Is cybersecurity more important than physical security?
60. Will robots ever outperform humans in creativity?
Education & Lifestyle Debates
These debate topics for kids encourage reflection on their daily experiences:
61. Should school start later in the morning?
62. Is homework necessary for learning?
63. Should grades be abolished?
64. Are year-round schools better than traditional calendars?
65. Should physical education be mandatory?
66. Is homeschooling better than regular school?
67. Should teens work part-time while going to school?
68. Are private schools worth the cost?
69. Should financial literacy be a core subject?
70. Is learning cursive writing still important?
Talent Club Australia: Building Confident Communicators
At TCA, we don’t just provide interesting debate topics – we create environments where kids thrive. Our SPEAKSCRAFT Program integrates debates with drama, creative writing, and public speaking, ensuring students:
- Speak with clarity: Using voice modulation and body language.
- Think critically: Building arguments with evidence.
- Collaborate: Respecting diverse viewpoints in inclusive settings.
Why parents choose us:
- Small class sizes: Individualized attention from university student coaches studying psychology, law, and education.
- Aligned with Australian Standards: Our SPEAKS Model ensures skill progression in line with school expectations.
- Parent partnerships: Workshops and seminars to extend learning beyond the classroom.
Final 4 Debate Topics to Spark Curiosity
- Should schools teach kids how to be kind?
- Do we still need libraries when we have the internet?
- Is being the oldest sibling better than being the youngest?
- Should kids get a vote in family choices?
Join Talent Club Australia Today!
Debating is not just a skill but an access to confidence, creativity, and connection. Our SPEAKSCRAFT Program has helped numerous students drop their “shy” label and step into their potential. Ready to see your child stand taller, speak clearer, and think deeper?
Enrol now and let’s redefine what they’re capable of. Because at Talent Club Australia, we believe every student is talented—they just need the right spark.
