275+ Controversial Topics to Talk About With Adults or Students

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Plus tips for choosing a good debate or essay topic
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If you want to stir the pot with your friends, play devil’s advocate with your family, or come up with some great debate topics for students, we’ve got the ultimate list of controversial questions to kick things off. From lighthearted topics to more serious subjects like ethics and education , you’ll find a discussion-starting question in every area you could imagine.

Top 5 Most Controversial Questions for Discussion

  • How should we decide who receives organ transplants?
  • Is nature or nurture more important to a person’s development?
  • Should convicted felons be allowed to vote after serving their time in prison?
  • Is universal government-sponsored healthcare a good idea?
  • Are standardized tests effective in measuring a student’s abilities?
Section 1 of 12:

Funny & Lighthearted Controversial Questions

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  1. Spark a fun discussion with a silly or light-hearted question. Not all controversial questions have to be serious—some can be cute, funny, and even enjoyable to discuss with friends! These types of discussion questions are great conversation starters, and they even work as icebreakers on dates. [1] “Just say, ‘Hey, random question,’ and you then pretty much have permission to bring up anything…you want to talk about,” says dating and relationship coach Suzanna Mathews. [2]
    • What’s the best way to eat an Oreo?
    • Is a hot dog a sandwich?
    • Is pepperoni the objectively best pizza topping?
    • Is peanut butter better than Nutella?
    • Are werewolves more or less dangerous than vampires?
    • Is summer better than winter?
    • Do dogs make better pets than cats?
    • Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?
    • Is American football a better sport than soccer?
    • Would it be better to be able to fly or turn invisible?
    • Is breakfast truly the most important meal of the day?
    • Should people be allowed to go barefoot anywhere they want?
    • Is Xbox better than PlayStation?
    • Are clowns more scary or funny?
    • Are fiction books better than nonfiction books?
    • Are virtual-reality experiences a good substitute for travel?
    • Is modern music better than classical music?
    • Should people have to go to school (or work) on their birthdays?
    • Is snow skiing better than waterskiing?
    • Would it be better to travel backward or forward in time?
    • Is it better to be too hot or too cold?
    • Should the person in the middle seat of an airline row get both armrests?
    • Should you make your bed every day?
    • Is it okay to wear socks with sandals?
    • Should Pluto still be considered a planet?
    • Looking for even more funny questions to ask your friends? Check out our forum on silly debate topics from wikiHow readers!
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Section 2 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Pop Culture & Social Media

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  1. Tackle the biggest pop culture & celebrity controversies with these Qs. Everyone loves a little bit of celeb gossip, and these questions will help stir up some fun pop culture-centric debates with your crew! Here are some light-hearted questions about beloved films and movies, as well as more serious ones about social media, reality TV, the rise of influencer culture, and more: [3]
    • Was Darth Vader a hero or a villain in the end?
    • Is Robin Hood a thief or a hero?
    • Is Harry Potter a better franchise than The Lord of the Rings ?
    • Is Friends too outdated and problematic to be funny?
    • Should Disney continue to make live-action remakes of their classic films?
    • Who was the best Batman actor of all time?
    • Is Saturday Night Live still relevant?
    • Do solo performers give better performances than live bands?
    • Is Beyoncé an overrated musician?
    • Are the Grand Theft Auto games actually high-quality, or is it all just shock value?
    • Is it ethical for reality television shows to exploit personal drama and conflict for entertainment purposes?
    • Is it unethical for actors and actresses to play characters of different races and ethnicities?
    • Does reality television portray a distorted version of reality?
    • Should celebrities and influencers be required to disclose paid content on social media?
    • Is writing fanfiction a form of creative expression or violating the intellectual property of authors?
    • Should celebrities be allowed to profit from their personal lives?
    • Is cosplay a form of cultural appropriation?
    • Is there a need for more diversity and representation in mainstream media?
    • Should movies and television shows depict sensitive topics?
    • Should celebrities and influencers use their platforms to advocate for political and social issues?
    • Do there need to be stricter social media regulations?
    • Should authors and creators be held accountable for problematic content in their works?
    • Should TikTok be banned in the United States?
    • Can interaction on social media replace normal communication?
Section 3 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Ethics & Morality

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  1. Put on your thinking cap and face up to some true ethical dilemmas. Philosophers have long debated the world’s most important ethical questions and moral dilemmas , and it’s now your turn to throw your answer in the ring! All of these questions address the ethical implications around human life—some are universal and timeless, while others relate directly to our modern world: [4]
    • How should we decide who receives organ transplants?
    • Do corporations have any moral obligations beyond profitability?
    • Should charities be required to publicly release what they spend donated money on?
    • Do corporations have any moral obligations beyond profitability?
    • If AI became self-aware, should it be given the same rights as humans?
    • Should individuals have the right to refuse medical treatment or procedures based on religious beliefs?
    • Is it ethical to engage in surveillance and data collection for national security purposes?
    • Should individuals be held responsible for their actions if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
    • Should genetic engineering be used to enhance human abilities or traits?
    • Is it morally acceptable to consume products that are produced through unfair labor practices?
    • Is it ethical to prioritize the well-being of humans over other sentient beings, such as animals?
    • Should parents have the right to make decisions about their children's medical treatments, even if it goes against medical advice?
    • Is it ethical to use hypnosis in the treatment of mental illnesses?
    • Is violence inherent to the human species?
    • Is being selfish always a bad thing?
    • Is achieving equal rights for all too idealistic e a goal?
    • Can any crime be justified, in theory?
    • Do you become an accomplice to a crime if you let the perpetrator go unpunished?
    • Is power and authority the only way to enforce law and order?
    • Is it unethical not to sign up as an organ donor in the event of your death?
    • Is killing a murderer a justified act?
    • Under what conditions should people be kept artificially alive?
    • Should people be allowed to select the sex of their child in advance?
    • Is it acceptable to lie or deceive others in certain situations to prevent harm or promote a greater good?
    • Are extremely unequal distributions of wealth inherently unethical?
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Section 4 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Psychology

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  1. Kick off a Freud-worthy debate with a psych-related question. Psychology is a complex and fascinating scientific field with endless questions to be asked and (hopefully) answered…by you! Here are some of our favorite debate-worthy questions about what’s going on inside our minds: [5]
    • Are women better at management than men?
    • Do all women use intuition vastly more than they do logic?
    • Could humanity ever find treatments for all mental illnesses?
    • Are all of our cognitive functions and behavior determined at birth?
    • How does pornography affect a person’s psychology?
    • Is the difference between the sexes cultural or physiological?
    • Are there specific character traits that make a person more likely to be rich or poor?
    • Are psychological disorders overdiagnosed?
    • Is there such a thing as extrasensory perception (ESP)?
    • Why do you think people dream?
    • What’s the best tool for solving life’s problems?
    • How can people communicate more effectively?
    • What is intelligence?
    • What does it mean to be self-actualized?
    • Is nature or nurture more important to a person’s development?
    • Is childhood bullying a risk factor for social anxiety in adults?
    • Does a person’s height impact how other people perceive them?
    • Does an adopted child take on their biological parents’ personality traits?
    • How do personality traits influence leadership styles and effectiveness in organizational settings?
    • Can a chronic illness affect your personality?
    • Can physical trauma cause psychopathy?
    • What are the factors behind the rising incidence of eating disorders in adolescents?
    • Can group therapy be more beneficial than one-on-one therapy sessions?
    • Are there cultural differences in how people perceive and deal with pain?
    • Do our different cultures shape our personalities?
Section 5 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Politics & Law

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  1. Use these questions to discuss complex legal and political issues. When you think ‘controversial,’ you likely think of major topics like law, criminality, politics, and governmental rule. So, as you might expect, there are plenty of controversial questions in the legal realm to bring up with your friends and family—just be sure to tread lightly! [6]
    • Will stricter gun control laws help prevent mass shootings?
    • Should convicted felons be allowed to vote after serving their time in prison?
    • Who was the best president in U.S. history?
    • Should the voting age be lowered or raised?
    • Is the two-party system in the US still effective, or does it need major reform?
    • Should voting be mandatory?
    • Should the United States increase or decrease its military spending and global military presence?
    • Should the Electoral College system be abolished in favor of a popular vote for presidential elections?
    • Should Election Day be a public holiday, meaning businesses would be required to give their employees time off to vote?
    • Should all states have open primaries?
    • Should Supreme Court judges be appointed for fixed terms?
    • Do gun safety laws infringe on the Second Amendment?
    • Should members of Congress have term limits?
    • Is capitalism the best economic system?
    • Should minimum wage laws be increased?
    • Should non-violent drug offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences?
    • Does the bail system unfairly penalize low-income defendants?
    • Should the U.S. continue using privatized prisons?
    • How can law enforcement agencies address concerns about bias and use of force?
    • Should prisoners have voting rights?
    • Should doxing be classified as a criminal offense?
    • Should citizens help police via neighborhood patrolling?
    • Should all police officers be required to wear body cameras?
    • Was Brexit primarily caused by political or economic issues?
    • When should we expect new countries to enter the EU, and what will they be?
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Section 6 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Medicine & Health

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  1. Pose some hot takes about medical interventions and health concerns. Issues related to medicine, healthcare, and general well-being apply to pretty much everyone, so almost anyone you ask will probably have an opinion or two when it comes to this topic. Here are somecontroversial health-related questions to try out: [7]
    • Is universal government-sponsored healthcare a good idea?
    • Should prescription drug prices be regulated?
    • Does privatized healthcare inhibit patients’ access to affordable treatment?
    • Should figures in power have to disclose their health status?
    • Should the United States allow the import of prescription drugs from other countries?
    • Should employers be able to require flu shots for all employees?
    • Should parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids be punished?
    • Should research on cloned human embryos be allowed?
    • Is there a need to reform medical malpractice laws?
    • Is there a need for stricter regulation of medical devices and implants to ensure patient safety?
    • Is there a role for alternative medicine in mainstream healthcare?
    • Should the United States adopt a single-payer universal healthcare system?
    • Should pharmaceutical companies be allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV and radio?
    • Are low-calorie sweeteners a better alternative than sugar?
    • Does corporate funding bias health research on sugar, fats, and processed foods?
    • Is a plant-based vegan diet healthier than eating meat and other animal products?
    • Should junk food advertising to children be restricted?
    • Should manufacturers be required to label foods containing GMOs?
    • Is intermittent fasting a safe and effective way to manage weight and improve health?
    • Does eating a large amount of eggs impact cholesterol levels?
    • Does processed meat contribute to cancer any more than other processed foods?
    • Is organic food worth the higher cost, or are conventional foods equally nutritious and safe?
    • Is a gluten-free diet a healthier alternative?
    • Does being healthy require a lot of money?
    • Should restaurants eliminate kids’ menus with unhealthy options?
Section 7 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Education

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  1. Show off your well-earned knowledge with an academia-themed debate. Whether you’re debating with students, professors, or alumni, education is a hot-button topic—especially given that nearly everyone goes to school at some point in their lives. From school policies to curricular practices, go for the grade with one of these divisive educational questions: [8]
    • Are private schools better than public schools?
    • Are standardized tests effective in measuring a student’s abilities?
    • Should charter schools receive public school funding?
    • Is year-round schooling better for students?
    • Is teaching cursive important to kids in school?
    • Should schools be allowed to teach critical race theory?
    • Is in-person school better than online school?
    • Are single-gender schools better for students?
    • Is homeschooling good for children?
    • Should schools allow students to use cell phones throughout the day?
    • Should schools have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways?
    • Should all school meals meet certain nutritional standards?
    • Should school holidays be shorter?
    • Should professors have non-educational employment history in order to better prepare students for real life?
    • Is handwriting obsolete, and should handwritten work no longer be required in school?
    • Should an online education diploma be equal to a diploma for full-time studies?
    • Does higher education make you a better human?
    • Should candy be given out as a reward in the classroom?
    • How many world languages should be taught at school or college?
    • Is it okay for schools to idealize prominent historical figures?
    • Should sex education be included in the standard curriculum?
    • Do uniforms limit the self-expression of students?
    • Should a teacher’s salary depend on the success level of their students?
    • Does discipline in a class guarantee its success?
    • Should teachers be expected to be moral role models and instructors?
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Section 8 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Family & Relationships

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  1. Chat with your S.O. or family members about relationship topics. Everyone has different experiences and opinions when it comes to their family lives, friendships, and romantic relationships. So, it can be interesting to find out other people’s perspectives on these topics! It’s especially important for romantic partners to ask each other these types of questions and determine their long-term compatibility and alignment on significant issues. [9]
    • Can exes be just friends?
    • Can a couple with totally different interests have a successful marriage?
    • Should men always make the first move in dating?
    • Are long-distance relationships actually a better way to build trust?
    • Is loyalty only about the absence of other sexual partners?
    • Is it okay to look through your partner’s text messages without their knowledge?
    • Is it important to maintain individual friendships outside of a romantic relationship?
    • What does it mean to have a healthy relationship?
    • Does cheating always indicate a lack of love and commitment?
    • Can having children fix a bad relationship?
    • Why do friendships typically end?
    • Can long-term abusive relationships cause psychological disorders in the abused?
    • Is love nothing more than a chemical reaction?
    • Can “friends with benefits” really be friends?
    • Should couples live together before they get married?
    • Should couples who live together just get married?
    • Can family conflicts cause health problems in children?
    • Should no-fault divorces be prohibited?
    • Is it better for children to be raised with a gender-neutral identity?
    • Should families be allowed to adopt children overseas?
    • Should men get mandatory paternity leave?
    • How does praise affect children?
    • Is divorce more harmful to children than seeing their parents in an unhappy marriage?
    • Is boredom good for children?
    • Should there be harsher penalties for child abuse and neglect?
Section 9 of 12:

Controversial Questions About Social Issues

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  1. Debate issues that affect everyone, from economics to gender inequality. Social issues are widespread problems that negatively impact large demographic groups and populations. These issues typically involve inequity, harm, injustice, and other factors that can inhibit an individual’s or community’s potential to thrive. Given their sensitive nature, questions about social issues can often be controversial and worthy of debate : [10]
    • Should the path to American citizenship be easier?
    • Should immigrants be automatically deported, despite how long they've been in the country?
    • Is the gender pay gap the result of discrimination or other factors?
    • Is solitary confinement in prisons a human rights violation?
    • Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
    • Should cryptocurrencies be better regulated?
    • Is a flat tax system preferable to a progressive tax system?
    • Can guaranteed minimum income ruin the economy?
    • How do perceptions of police impact public safety?
    • To what extent does mental illness contribute to criminal behavior?
    • Should false advertising face stricter regulations?
    • How much of a role should unions play in the U.S.?
    • Is there a need for more diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership positions?
    • Should tech giants like Facebook and Amazon be broken up to prevent monopolization?
    • Are there any industries that should only be owned by the government due to public safety concerns?
    • Should healthcare be considered a human right?
    • Is the use of CGI and digital manipulation in films and photography misleading?
    • Should growth hormone and antibiotic use in livestock be banned?
    • Should Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits be restricted to only nutritious food?
    • Is there a link between poverty and poor health?
    • Should diet pills be banned?
    • Do you think that people who live in cities or rural areas tend to be happier?
    • Should all types of sex work be legalized?
    • Should abortion be illegal?
    • Should recreational marijuana use be legalized nationwide?
    • Should the death penalty be abolished?
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Section 10 of 12:

Controversial Questions About the Environment

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  1. Address climate change, animal rights, and more with environmental Qs. Even if not everyone in your life is thinking about the environment…they should be. With global warming becoming an ever-more-pressing issue and the safety of land and animals being infringed upon, it’s more than worth discussing the environment with your friends, families, students, or community members: [11]
    • Do animals deserve legal protections?
    • Can alternative energy replace fossil fuels?
    • Are electric vehicles better than gas-fueled vehicles?
    • Should we ban plastic bottles and bags?
    • Should offshore oil drilling be expanded or reduced along US coastlines?
    • Should governments prioritize environmental protection over economic growth?
    • Is nuclear energy a viable solution to fight climate change?
    • Should ecotourism that disturbs natural habitats be more regulated?
    • Should fracking be banned?
    • How effective are carbon taxes at controlling carbon emissions?
    • Should major cities ban cars from city centers?
    • Should solar panels be mandatory for all new home constructions?
    • Should there be limits on the exploitation of natural resources?
    • Should national parks raise entry fees to fund conservation projects?
    • Is reforestation efficient in reducing global warming?
    • Should companies be held accountable for environmental pollution?
    • Should food labeling include more information about the environmental impact of products?
    • Should fur farms be banned?
    • Should leg-hold traps for wild animals be outlawed?
    • Whose responsibility is it to “fix” climate change?
    • Can mass carbon capture really work?
Section 11 of 12:

Controversial Questions For Students

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  1. Challenge students' critical thinking skills with these questions. It’s more important than ever that students of all ages develop critical thinking skills to help them discern fact from fiction and draw appropriate conclusions based on rational and reliable evidence. If you’re a teacher (or student!) looking for a debate topic for class, check out some of these questions that are topical and interesting for high school and college-aged learners: [12]
    • Should cigarette smoking and vaping be completely banned?
    • Is the development of artificial intelligence dangerous to society?
    • Is there a correlation between violent video games and real-world violence?
    • Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries?
    • Is gambling harmful to society, and should it be banned?
    • Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
    • Should the driving age be raised to 18?
    • Is cancel culture good for society?
    • Should tech companies do more to combat cyberbullying?
    • Should college education be free?
    • Does classroom technology enhance learning?
    • Should schools eliminate dress codes?
    • Is climate change primarily caused by human activity?
    • Should the preservation of endangered species be prioritized?
    • Should prisons focus more on rehabilitation or punishment?
    • Should juveniles be tried and sentenced as adults for serious crimes?
    • Should the government punish companies that use child labor?
    • Should sports teams be publicly owned by the city or owned by individuals?
    • Is there a need for stronger protections for whistleblowers who expose corporate wrongdoing?
    • Should vaccines be mandatory?
    • Should everyone have access to healthcare?
    • Is the use of animals in medical research ethical?
    • Is it morally acceptable to use violence in defense of oneself or others?
    • Should there be limits on freedom of speech, particularly when it comes to hate speech?
    • Should video games have restrictions on the content they portray?
    • Is it better to be kind or truthful?
    • Are teenagers overscheduled?
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Section 12 of 12:

How to Choose a Topic for a Debate or Persuasive Paper

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  1. 1
    Brainstorm some general topics and issues that interest you. Consider what types of subjects you find naturally interesting or that you might be inclined to research for fun. Let’s say you love animals, for instance. In that case, an environmental subject around animal rights or veganism could be a great fit. Try to come up with at least five controversial questions or debate topics and jot them down before you forget. [13]
  2. 2
    Narrow down your broader topic to a specific and interesting question. Once you’ve come up with your general subject area, choose a question that has clear sides of “for” and “against,” and that’s also narrow enough to be concisely researched and answered. You may also want to consider the objective of your argument, as well as its intended audience. Think about what you want your audience to take away from the debate or paper, as well as who your audience is and whether or not your topic will appeal to them. [15]
  3. 3
    Avoid questions that are too popular, dull, insignificant, or complicated. Some debate questions are too popular, and the arguments are so well-known that they won’t be interesting to readers or listeners. If the average person has a well-developed opinion on the topic without doing much research, it’s probably best to skip it. The same is true for boring or unimportant topics—in other words, topics that are boring to you or unrelatable to most people. If you’re not interested in the subject or can’t connect to it, you’re less likely to do a sufficient job researching and presenting it (and your audience is less likely to care!). [16]
    • You should also avoid topics that are too difficult to research—i.e., there haven’t been enough studies to develop a proper argument.
    • Similarly, be wary of topics that are either too narrow or too broad. For example, a narrow topic like “Is reality television real?” is pretty easy to answer and hard to debate—it’s fairly common knowledge that most (if not all) reality TV is scripted.
    • On the other hand, some topics are too broad. Something like, “Does the U.S. have good diplomatic relations with all countries?” will take ages to both research and argue.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.weareteachers.com/funny-debate-topics/
      2. ↑ Suzanna Mathews. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.weareteachers.com/funny-debate-topics/
      4. ↑ https://www.nwabr.org/sites/default/files/EthicalQuestions.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201304/top-10-list-psychology-s-big-questions-and-the-answers
      6. ↑ https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/supreme-court-landmarks/supreme-court-activity/discussion-questions-supreme-court-activity
      7. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/tough_questn.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.weareteachers.com/controversial-debate-topics/
      9. ↑ https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/controversial-relationship-questions/
      1. ↑ https://billofrightsinstitute.org/ttv/debates
      2. ↑ https://subjecttoclimate.org/teacher-guides/climate-change-debate-topics
      3. ↑ https://www.boredteachers.com/post/debate-topics
      4. ↑ https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics/overview
      5. ↑ Celena Hathaway. English & Creative Writing Teacher. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics/overview
      7. ↑ https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics/overview

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