Funny, Controversial, & Good Debate Topics | Things to Debate About

Check out these topics for debate! You’ll find silly, funny, and light-hearted debate topics, controversial ones, as well as easy ones for ESL. Keep on reading for the best suggestions for some topics to debate about, including funny controversial topics.

Top Debating Topics

If you’re looking for some of the best debate topics, you’re certainly in the right place. Stay tuned for controversial, funny, silly, and easy debating topics, along with good ESL debate topics for language learners. And of course, be sure to add your suggestion to the list by leaving a comment below.

Controversial Debate Topics

Here are some suggestions for controversial things to debate about:

• Testing on animals should be banned.
• Women should be paid less than men in certain professions.
• Women should have the same physical standards to become a firefighter or police officer or to join the military.
• Drug addicts should get help, not punishment.
• People who smoke should pay more for healthcare.
• All recreational drugs should be legalized.
• Everyone has the right to own a gun.
• Human cloning should be allowed.
• Video games make people violent.
• Marijuana should be legalized.
• The minimum wage isn’t necessary.
• It’s too late to stop climate change.
• The rich should have higher tax rates.

Also be sure to check out these hot debating topics.

Funny Debate Topics

Here are some of the best funny things to debate about:

• Being really short is better than being really tall.
• Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla.
• Clowns are scary.
• Flying is the best superpower.
• It would be terrible to know what other people are thinking all the time.
• Mondays are the worst day.
• The best way to cut a pizza is in squares.
• December is the best month.

Do you have any funny controversial topics to recommend? Leave a comment below.

If you’re looking for some more ideas, have a look here: Pointless Debate Topics.

Good Debating Topics

Check out some of the top suggestions for good debate topics:

• The death penalty should be abolished.
• Zoos should be banned.
• The voting age should be lowered to 16.
• Smoking should be illegal in _____.
• Violent video games should be banned.
• Our country should introduce a universal basic income.
• Long-distance relationships never work out.
• A college education isn’t necessary these days.
• Social media contributes to higher suicide rates.
• It’s not appropriate to teach religion in schools.
• Democracy is the best form of government.
• Companies have too much information about us.

Silly Debate Topics

Have a look at some of these silly things to debate about:

• Pizza is more delicious than a hamburger.
• Cats are better pets than dogs.
• Mcdonalds is the best fast food restaurant of all time.
• There are aliens living among us.
• Would you give up a finger in exchange for a million dollars?
• A gorilla would win in a fight with a bear.
• There would be no war if all the world leaders were women.
• Time doesn’t really exist.
• Teenagers should have after-school jobs.

Looking for something more casual? Check out: Topics to debate with friends.

ESL Debate Topics

Here are some simple ESL debating topics that are ideal for English learners:

• Money makes you happier.
• We shouldn’t eat so much meat.
• Plastic bags shouldn’t be allowed.
• Morning people are more productive than night owls.
• Customers are not always right.
• Cheating on exams is sometimes acceptable.
• Online dating is a good way to meet people.
• Students should be required to learn another language in school.
• English is the most important second language to learn.
• Summer vacation is better than winter vacation.
• People waste too much time on social media.
• Living together before marriage is useful.

Dumb Debate Topics

“Dumb” debate topics are typically humorous or absurd topics that are meant to be light-hearted and entertaining. Here are some examples:

• Should socks and sandals be a fashion statement?
• Is a hot dog a sandwich?
• Should we have a holiday dedicated to eating ice cream?
• Is water wet?
• Should pineapple be allowed on pizza?
• Should we replace all cars with skateboards?
• Is a burger a sandwich?
• Should we have a national nap time?
• Is it better to have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
•  Should adults be allowed to have recess?

These topics can be fun to debate and can help encourage creativity and critical thinking in a playful way.

Easy Debating Topics for Children

Take a look at these easier debate topics that are ideal for children:

• Chewing gum should be banned in _____.
• Advertisements for children should be banned.
• Children should not have smartphones.
• Children shouldn’t be allowed to watch TV.
• Homework shouldn’t be allowed in schools.
• Children should wear school uniforms.
• Homeschooling is better than regular schooling.
• Schools should ban phones.
• Barbie dolls are harmful.
• Art isn’t an important subject.
• Music isn’t an important subject.

Light-Hearted Debate Topics

Here are some of the best light-hearted debating topics:

• Summer is better than winter.
• Living forever would be terrible.
• Smartphones make people stupid.
• Pepperoni is the ultimate pizza topping.
• Being good-looking is better than being smart.
• Staying home is better than going out.
• Pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza.
• Thin crust pizza is better than thick crust.
• People should never date a coworker.
• Real books are better than ebooks.

Do you have any funny debate questions to share? Leave a comment and let us know!

Serious Debate Topics

Here are some of the more serious topics for debating:

• Assisted suicide should be legal.
• Prisoners should not be allowed to vote.
• Rich people should pay more in taxes.
• Animal testing should be banned.
• Abortion should be banned.
• University should be tuition-free.
• Genetically modified foods should be banned.
• Everyone should become vegan to stop climate change.
• Artificial intelligence will one day be dangerous to humans.
• The government should fully fund health and dental care.

What are some things to Argue About for Fun?

Here are some fun and lighthearted topics you can argue about:

• Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
• Which is better, cats or dogs?
• Is it better to read the book or watch the movie adaptation?
• Should socks and sandals be worn together?
• Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?
• Should toilet paper hang over or under the roll?
• Is cereal a soup?
• Should ketchup be kept in the fridge or in the pantry?
• Is a hot dog a sandwich?
• Which is the superior dipping sauce, ketchup or ranch?

These topics can lead to playful debates and are a great way to have some fun.

Stupid Debate Topics

Here is a list of stupid things to argue about.

• Are unicorns misunderstood rhinos?
• Is the Earth flat?
• Should socks have individual compartments for toes?
• Is the moon made of cheese?
• Should people use bubble wrap as personal space bubbles?
• Is watermelon a fruit or a state of mind?
• Should spaghetti be eaten with a spoon or chopsticks?

Did you like these Top Debating Topics?

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Good Debate Topics: Join the Conversation

Do you have any funny controversial topics to debate about that you’d like us to add to the list? Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think about it. We’d love to hear from you.

 

Last update on 2025-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API