Social media debate topics

Check out these engaging social media debate topics that encourage students to articulate their ideas and critically evaluate diverse perspectives. Use these debate ideas on Kialo Edu — the completely free discussion platform — to hold more inclusive, structured discussions with the whole class, whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school students!

Debate topics on children’s social media use

• Can social media be a useful educational tool?
• Can social media improve family relationships?
• Does social media encourage bullying?
• Is it ok for parents to share photos of their kids on social media?
• Is social media responsible for causing depression among young people?
• Is social media spoiling the lives of teenagers?
• Should families limit social media use for their children?
• Should kids be able to have social media?
• Should parents be friends with their kids on social media?
• Should schools block social media sites?
• Should schools teach kids how to use social media?
• Should social media have tighter age restrictions?

Debate topics on social media in politics

• Can social media be an effective tool for political activism?
• Does social media help political parties to engage young voters?
• Do social media influencers hold too much power in shaping political opinions?
• Has social media had a positive impact on political campaigning?
• Is anonymity on social media beneficial to political discussions?
• Is political advertising on social media more effective than traditional media?
• Is social media a legitimate platform for political debate?
• Is social media a threat or benefit to democracy?
• Is social media responsible for political polarization?
• Should politicians be banned from social media?
• Should political leaders be more transparent about their social media strategies?
• Should there be limits on the use of social media algorithms in political campaigning?

Debate topics on disinformation on social media

• Are social media algorithms primarily responsible for the spread of disinformation?
• Can news on social media be trusted?
• Does social media contribute to information overload?
• Is social media leading to the decline of traditional news outlets?
• Is social media clickbait ruining journalism?
• Is the rise of citizen journalism through social media a positive development?
• Should news outlets that spread misinformation be shut down?
• Should social media users be held accountable for sharing disinformation?

Debate topics on social media’s effects on society

• Do social media platforms shape societal behavior?
• Does social media create unrealistic expectations?
• Does social media increase society’s digital divide?
• Does social media promote free speech?
• Is social media a force for good?
• Is social media destroying creativity?
• Is social media good for society?
• Is social media making us less social?
• Should the police have access to a suspect’s social media account(s) during an investigation?
• Should companies look at potential employees’ social media profiles?
• Should anonymous posting be permitted on social media?
• Should social challenges on social media be banned?

Debate topics about using social media platforms

• Are social media platforms too powerful?
• Do social media platforms help create meaningful professional connections?
• Is it acceptable for social media platforms to ban individuals?
• Is it ethical for social media companies to collect personal data?
• Should disappearing messages be banned on social media?
• Should social media platforms ban deep fake videos?
• Should social media platforms be allowed to display ads?
• Should social media platforms label AI-created content?
• Should social media platforms remove content that promotes hate speech?
• Should users have more control over their data on social media?
• Which social media platform would be best to ban?

Debate topics on social media influencers and celebrities

• Are social media influencers legitimate celebrities?
• Do social media influencers contribute to irresponsible consumerism?
• Do social media influencers promote unrealistic beauty standards?
• Do social media influencers positively impact their followers’ mental health?
• Do social media influencers promote superficial values?
• Do social media platforms create false perceptions of celebrity lives?
• Has social media made it easier for new musicians to succeed?
• Should celebrities use social media platforms to promote their political views?
• Should social media influencers be more transparent about sponsored content?
• Should there be an age limit for social media influencers?
• Should there be stricter regulations on social media influencers?

These social media debate topics are just the beginning! Our Topic Library contains more than 500 discussion topics for a range of age groups and curriculum subjects. So, head to Kialo Edu and transform your class discussions — for free — today!