17 Controversial Debate Topics for Teenagers

Teenagers can be very opinionated, which is why we created 17 controversial debate topics for teenagers.

The space between your first and second decade of life can often be fraught with more decision making than most people care to deal with in a lifetime. There’s a lot of pressure to go to the right school and choose the right career, and to top it all off, every girl in ninth grade has a boyfriend but you.

Undoubtedly, some of us wish we could relive our teen years because of all the fun they allowed, while others would rather have their teeth pulled.

But while you’re fighting off pimples and learning to drive, many different opinions about real life issues are being formed as well. Issues that you’ll face for the rest of your life. Issues that you’ll most likely have to vote on in the next election.

Then there are also the issues that no one else in the world seems to be noticing- the ones that virtually only teens face; from the woes of social media to the complicated dynamics of high school drama. Who’s going to debate those issues- the ones maybe only teens know and care about?

We are, right inside this article. While we do present a few topics that are important on a larger scale like minimum wage and voting, most of our list is full of what teens, let’s face it, are really worried about.

We derived some of our topics from Bright Hub Education, Reader’s Digest and Procon, but where did the majority of them come from? A podcast called Eliza Starting at 16 where a New York teen discusses her adolescent obsessions and annoyances, bringing to light many of the topics teens face today. (Wondering how much she really knows? She’s just been accepted to Harvard University, so… If you really want to be in the know about life as a teenager, it’s a great weekly listen.)

After reading these debate topics for teens, you’ll realize maybe life isn’t so easy for them. (At least not as easy as it was in middle school- see 20 Easiest Debate Topics for Middle School.)

Oh, and we decided to introduce these topics in a very teen-esque way, and you’ll know what we mean in a second. If you’re confused by the lingo, go ask the nearest teen.

And maybe ask them what their (no doubt strong) opinion is on any of the below issues is. You probably won’t be sorry. And now, let’s see the list of controversial debate topics for teenagers.

 

17. Does one vote make a difference or nah?

 

16. Should millennials buy homes or nah?

 

15. Should visible tattoos be allowed in the work place or nah?

 

14. Should we increase the Federal Minimum Wage or nah?

 

13. Is Wikipedia a help or nah?

 

12. Are zodiac signs actually legit or nah?

 

11. Should cosmetics marketers cater to pretty girls or nah?

 

10. Is The Bachelor show a good idea or nah?

Number ten on our list of controversial debate topics for teens is interesting. This ABC’s show may be every teenage heartthrob’s obsession, but what we really want to know is- is this really even ethical?

 

9. Is Snapchat worth it or nah?

 

8. Are Internet and social media privacy essential or nah?

 

7. Should all marketers cater to teens or nah?

 

6. Is prom worth it or nah?

 

5. Should employers judge employees based on their social media accounts or nah?

 

4. Is it easier to be an adult than a teenager or nah?

3. Is tradition holding society back or nah?

 

2. Do photoshopped images promote unrealistic expectations of beauty and body image or nah?

 

1. Has Facebook lost its edge or nah?

And there you have it. This list of 17 controversial debate topics for teenagers is an at least somewhat accurate representation of the issues teens face today. But if you really want to know more, go ask them.