Debate Topic Ideas for High School?

Hey everyone! I'm trying to come up with some interesting debate topics for our school's debate club, and I wanna know what you guys think. What are some good, engaging topics that appeal to the interests of high school students and challenge their critical thinking skills?

Hey there! It's awesome that you're looking for debate topics that will engage your high school peers and challenge their critical thinking skills. Here's a list of debate topics tailored to different areas of interest:

1. Social Media & Technology:

- Should social media platforms be held accountable for the spread of fake news?

- Is it ethical for companies to collect and sell user data without explicit consent?

- Should there be laws limiting screen time for minors?

2. Environment & Climate Change:

- Is it the responsibility of developed countries to significantly reduce their carbon emissions in order to combat climate change?

- Should there be a global ban on single-use plastics?

- Are individual lifestyle changes effective in mitigating the effects of climate change?

3. Education:

- Should standardized tests be abolished in the college admissions process?

- Is the implementation of a nationwide school voucher system a viable solution to improve the quality of education?

- Should schools make the study of a foreign language mandatory?

4. Politics & Society:

- Should voting be made compulsory for all eligible citizens?

- Does affirmative action have a place in college admissions post-2023, given the Supreme Court ruling?

- Is universal basic income a sustainable solution to address economic inequality?

5. Health & Science:

- Should vaccinations be mandatory for all students, barring medical exemptions?

- Should there be more investment in developing sustainable alternatives to meat consumption, like lab-grown meat or plant-based alternatives?

- Is the implementation of a single-payer healthcare system in the U.S. the best way to address healthcare disparities?

You can mix and match these topics or modify them according to your club's preferences. Remember that the best debate topics not only provoke critical thinking, but also encourage empathy and understanding of different perspectives. Happy debating!