CreateDebate


Debate Info

145
135
Yes, they should. No, they should not.
Debate Score:280
Arguments:79
Total Votes:350
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 Yes, they should. (44)
 
 No, they should not. (35)

Debate Creator

rothl(14) pic



Should 7th grade students be allowed to use this web site?

     I heard about this web site in the fall, but hadn't had time to figure it out until this week when I started a debate about our current topic of study, German headscarves. 
     After laboriously copying every student's personal e-mail, I'm about to send an invitation to everyone to participate in this debate when a flash of caution overtakes me.  Though I'm very excited because I know my debate-loving students would greatly benefit from the site, I realize that I really don't know a lot about the site and maybe I should wait a little bit to see what happens.  When I return to my computer a short while later, I find someone had already posted an argument.  Now, I'm thinking that the site's really nifty, and I should definitely notify my classes.  It's late, so I decide again to wait. 
    By morning, maybe half a dozen more people have responded.  How great that students will be able to learn from strangers as well as each other.  This is the power of the web.  One German-born person filled in some interesting historical facts.  Some arguments are stronger than others, but students would have the chance to vote for the ones they think are strongest.  Then I come to a response which includes a word that would not be acceptable in a thesis essay.  I'm crestfallen.
    I go to class and, to the delight of my students, tell this story.  They became animated and alert.  They immediately try convince me that they should be allowed to use the site.  (I mentioned how much they love to debate, right?)  They also want to know the offending word which is preventing them from debating on-line.  I decline to tell, so they start to guess.  They shout, "Is it 'I'?"  I love this response because A) apparently they've learned not to write "I" in a formal essay, and B) they're naive enough to think this is the word that's troubling me.  On the other hand, they then proceed to tell me about the rated R movie they are looking forward to seeing this weekend.

     What do you think?  Do the benefits of this site outweigh the costs?  Should seventh grade public school students be allowed to use this site?

 

Yes, they should.

Side Score: 145
VS.

No, they should not.

Side Score: 135
9 points

Well, in a rare case I'm going to disagree with HGrey (and not just to spite Jake)

One of the greatest enemies of a free thinking society is indoctrination.

Rarely is a person subjected to varying points of view before they graduate high school. And by then often all of a persons opinions are set solidly, impervious to change or even consideration.

While the influence of parents, friends, and teachers is a good thing for the most part, it can be a very narrow spectrum from which to view the world.

I don't believe that 7th graders would necessarily grasp many of the arguements, I do believe that it would keep them aware that there is never only one way to look at a topic, keep their minds open to different opinions, and encourage them to come up with there own ideas and valid reasoning to back up those ideas.

I think they should identify themselves though, so that people know we're dealing with a fetus :)

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

Not just to spite me. So it was partly to spite me. I think it's a conspiracy. (;

We will agree someday.

Side: permission slips and or CD4kids
7 points

I think CreateDebate is a very useful tool for schools to leverage to encourage critical thinking, debate, and argumentation. You can monitor the language on your debate and use the "report" function for any argument that it is inappropriate. You can also use the "Moderator Panel" within the debate to ban any people who are making inappropriate arguments. I think the benefits of using CreateDebate outweigh any potential risks of exposing them to foul language. Plus, we are working on some really cool features that will make using CD in the classroom even better!

Side: Yes, they should.
4 points

I can't see it being that hard to implement a profanity filter that can star out recognised words, surely? That would give the site far more potential in terms of being a resource for learning.

Side: Yes, they should.
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
5 points

no it would be,there are lots of online video games have those geeks that put the word up with an accent mark over the i in bitch etc etc they can also just make the word look like the word they want Fucl{ @$$

Or we could always just not allow 7th graders in and not worry about anything

Side: No, they should not.

If you really need profanity to get your argument recognized, is it really valid in the first place?

Side: Yes, they should.

Yes they should be able to use this site. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether they are 4 or 104. Whether there point is valid or not, that is a different story.

Side: Yes, they should.
sparsely(498) Disputed
3 points

having an opinion !== understanding debate

Side: No, they should not.
angie(44) Disputed
2 points

so kids under four are not entitled to a opinion even when they whine and moan about how they do not like that color or that they wanted a different thing, remind me the next time to tell a three year old that i dont care what they think and we will see what happens.

Side: No, they should not.
2 points

that wasn't the point smart one, you mine as well said that 105 year olds dont have an opinion either, i was making a point by saying a common expression it was meant to mean that everyone has an opinion big or small....come on man, get with it

Side: No, they should not.
6 points

By the time students reach 7th grade, they've heard all the standard swear words on the school bus and the playground. That doesn't mean, however, that we want our children to become inured to vulgar speech. As in so many areas, there is a balancing act to be performed here: we want children to benefit from technological advances such as the ability to debate important issues with people around the globe, and yet we want to protect children from all the attendant dangers. The answer, I believe, is that parents must monitor their children's time on this site. Children should be taught that there are websites they are allowed to go to at any time, and websites that are allowed only when mom or dad is sitting right there.

Side: Yes, they should.
5 points

Yes, they should. Even immature little seventh graders are entitled to their freedom of speech and should express their opinion. It's their choice, why not?

Side: Yes, they should.

Why not? Do you really think that 7th graders don't hear the swear words said on here all the time at their school? Of course they do. It's not a bad site, why should they be banned from it?

Side: Yes, they should.
1 point

Exactly, Of course they hear all of this profanity in their school. I for one know since I am a 7th Grader myself

Side: Yes, they should.
4 points

CreateDebate heavily employs freedom of speech. Whether an argument contains profanity or not, it wouldn't matter. I'd expect that most 7th graders would have a competent level of maturity. They should be able to recognize these words and know that they shouldn't be used. This is shown in your students. They use "I" instead of the word. Therefore, they should be allowed to use CD, as they sound like very enthusiastic students.

Side: Yes, they should.
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
1 point

It isn't their knowledge of words that should be the main concern! It is their understanding of the debates we have a 13 year old has almost no perspective of healthcare politics and religion. I could care less if they have a big vocabulary or if they know that shit is a bad word I only care about the crap that they will post.

Side: No, they should not.
4 points

Just on the cursing part.

I have a crazy idea.

Let's all realize that they are just words we made up, and there is absolutely no curse placed on anyone who says these words.

If we just stop treating them like they're bad, tada, they won't be bad anymore.

Here, let's go through some samplse of what I mean.

"sex," "I don't like what just happened," and "I don't like you."

Are all perfectly acceptable, and all mean the exact same thing as.

"fuck," "fuck!," and "fuck you."

You'll notice the second group of phrases is far more efficient. Yet for some reason you can't use that second group.

Silly.

Here's another.

"poop," "I feel bad/ill/sick" "I really really don't like it/him/her."

Is all acceptable. What is not acceptable.

"shit," "I feel like shit," "what a piece of shit."

Again, they mean the exact same thing.

So why is one forbidden, and the other acceptable?

People really are still very superstitious. Imagine trying to explain the purpose of "curse words" to some alien intelligence. I for one would be embarassed by the whole thing.

Side: there's no such thing as curse words
4 points

I think this widens the 7th grade knowledge of things such as politics, technology, religion and other important subjects. I am a 7th grader myself and this site has great info and my mind widens each time i choose a different topic to debate about.

Side: Yes, they should.
3 points

I don't see why they coudn't use it. If you say that can't it is just as bad as discriination and its not right. Freedom of the speech is it not for all or is it just for 8th grade and above that is denying a right stated in the US constutution, that freedom of speech is for everyone not for 8th grade and above

Side: Yes, they should.
3 points

Not all seventh graders are stupidheads, like all those on the no side think. Even we know important facts.

Also, some of us are mature. All those people that think that seventh graders are immature are being stereotypical. That is like saying that all black people rap. They don't. All seventh graders are not immature. Some are mature.

Side: Yes, they should.
3 points

I believe that createdebate.com is a useful tool or foundation for pupils to start their steps towards argumentative essays, debates etc.

By reading other people's views, pupils can learn how to debate properly and effectively. The points system in this website also encourages the pupils to get as many points as possible.

As this is an international website, they can actually debate with the professionals from all over the world.

Side: Yes, they should.
3 points

I believe that anybody who has an interest in debate, as well as the ability to intelligently support their views, should be allowed on this site.

In my opinion, the better the variety of debaters, the more interesting the debate.

Now, I'm hardly older than a 7th grader, but being on my school's debate team, I can't help but notice that some debates we have rival the quality of debates had by adults on this site.

Side: Yes, they should.
3 points

Albeit the amount of unconstructive postings on this site would most likely skyrocket if more middle-to-high school students were to use this site, I believe that they should be able to use this site. Why? I am 14 years old, and I can draw from current experience with my classmates whom are the some of the brightest, and most opinionated students that I have ever met. They write very good persuasive pieces, and love the rush of debating. Should we be justified in censoring them from this site? Of course it's more work, but downranking unconstructive posts and welcoming an often negatively stereotyped demographic with a different view on our world into this site will improve the quality of the debates.

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

Fuck it, why not? Swear words are not a big deal.

You could always ban people or hit the report link located under every argument if you come across anything especially obscene.

You could also send out permission slips.

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

7th graders are old enough to realize that there are bad words out there on the Internet. They will also quickly realize that using foul language to make their argument sound better actually has the reverse effect, and their arguments will likely be voted down by the community if there are cuss words in them. They'll learn that eloquence is much more effective than trash talk / cursing.

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

Why does it matter, maybe if stop all of our cursing and sexual interpetations then maybe it would be safer for not only them but us. Causing there just words that are taken more seriously than reg words so, yeah I think if were on here we really have no choice on who signs up or not. But we do need to stop our negative influence if they are on here!!! Yes, I'm even talking about me!!!!

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

They should be able to use this website

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

Yes, I also think that they should be allowed to use this site. They can learn a lot of useful things here at the same time allowing them to participate and take a stand on the current political issues and events that are quite thought-provoking these days. They can practice their critical thinking and argue what what they believe in. This site could be a learning tool, if you want to use it that way.

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

they should because America is a free country and if they aren't they might be able to with a parent.i am 10 and in 4th grade I'M ALLOWED!

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

Yes indeed they should. There is nothing upon this site inappropriate for a seventh grader, nothing that should stop them.

Forgive me for this fallacy, this appeal to emotion, but to not allow them would be akin to saying that their opinion does not hold weight or matter.

Although whether to use it during school hours would have to be the discretion of the teachers/schools.

And I do not see how this can be debated as you ask no questions of age to allow entry, so you cannot debate to open this to 7th graders as some arguments of those against are pointing to, and I doubt any 7th grader which has no interest in debate would be spamming this site, let alone be on it.

Side: Yes, they should.
2 points

I think that grade seven students are mature enough to handle a bad word, after all they are in middle school/junior high school and most of them probably say those words too. Maybe you shouldn't go on this website on school computers though, that might be a bad idea as you and your students could get in trouble over that. Great idea at home though, for the purpose of the debate.

Side: Yes, they should.
1 point

Anyone should be able to use any site. I understand the social networks (i.e. MySpace and Facebook) being banned from schools because it has nothing to do with education, but if you're going to use this site for educational purposes I'd say yes on using it. Come on, we're not the Middle East here where they ban almost every website in their countries.

Side: Yes, they should.

Yes, they should. Being able to see the debates can help see many different sides of arguments to help them learn more about debating and it may make them better at thinking things through. It could help them if they could also just see the topics of some debates, and learn more about what people are wondering. If there is a bad word or something, they have probably heard it before.

Side: Yes, they should.

theres nothing wrong with this i mean hey you can get allot of info from here i know i have and i dont use this website very much anymore

Side: Yes, they should.

What the?!? This argument is hilarious, considering me being in seventh grade. I think they should be allowed to use this site. I'm using this site... so what?

Side: Yes, they should.

Plus, I apprehend much of the vocabulary applied in these debates. I apologize for double posting.

Side: Yes, they should.

The induction of children to a site with a majority populous of "mature" users would require moderation. Based on a person's age they would be allowed to access either junior or regular debate. If one was to head into the other it would require they are approved for it, perhaps a test or such. Should one lie to gain access to either of the two moderation would weed them out. The problem with this however is that it would require more work on the side of Create Debate, scripting and heavier moderation/staff interaction. So with a junior forum and all other restrictions I suppose why not.

Also it depends upon the child, are they able to handle such a site? Some would need parental supervision, others no. For use in the classroom a debate could be created and moderated by the teacher for use when it has enough replies. Through banning and removing of vulgar people/ posts it could be used in a classroom. Though should it be used outside of a class, I am not entirely sure.

Side: Make a junior forum
1 point

they should use this website because this website has many topics to give an opinion to it and they can learn how to debate.

Side: Yes, they should.
1 point

Just found this website. Im a 7th grader its ok if u censor all the other things. It allows to me to say on whats on my min while staying unknown. I love this website.

Side: Yes, they should.
1 point

to me, seventh graders are really mature and should use this for their nourishment of polite debating. i just wish there was some kind of lock that prevented language. after all, I am only in fifth.

Side: Yes, they should.
1 point

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyynnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookittttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Side: Yes, they should.
15 points

Of course they should, and Jessald's idea of permission slips is great. I just don't want them to join. Or they should have their own section of the site, "CreateDebate 4 Kidz!" so I don't have to deal with their shit.

If you're gonna put them on the site, teach them the rudiments of rhetoric, and assign them reading on logical fallacies. They'll be a step ahead when they get here :P

Side: No, they should not.
4 points

Man, I was about to post on the yes side, but you made a really good point. I could not agree more. I have read some posts on this site where as soon as I saw the spelling and grammer and lack of reason to there argument I just knew it was a young person. But not every seventh grader is inmature so yeah I think permission slips and or "CreateDebate 4 Kidz!" is the best answer.

600 Points! well 601 once I press submit.

Side: permission slips and or CD4kids
xaeon(1095) Disputed
4 points

Oh man. Do NOT criticise someone's spelling or grammar when you:

1. Spelt grammar incorrectly.

2. Used the wrong type of "there." You said "there argument" when it should be "their argument."

3. Wrote inmature rather than immature.

Side: Yes, they should.
sparsely(498) Disputed
1 point

this from someone who has no idea how to spell "gullible". whatev.

Side: Yes, they should.
4 points

CD, take note: my highest-voted argument is the one that says there should be a separate area for young people. Maybe we should make a poll?

Side: No, they should not.
Dusty(55) Disputed
1 point

Permission slips, I agree with, Create Debate 4 Kids, I don't.

There are going to be some 7th graders who join this site who will have poorly researched arguments, as well as responses such as "F* u" when someone challenges their opinion.

Some 7th Graders, however, will be very unlike this, and more like you or any of the other intelligent debaters here.

However, if CD were to put all 7th Graders into one area, wouldn't the more intelligent 7th Graders be having to deal with the kind you don't want to put up with?

Side: permission slips and or CD4kids
3 points

wow. that is true. i'd say 16 and up, since a lot of people that are my age and below are pretty dumb, but then i myself couldn't participate in this site, and i like all the different points of view i get to see by being apart of it.

Side: No, they should not.
1 point

I think you're right that CreateDebate should set a minimum age requirement. 16 is about right, but 14 or 15 may work since the person would be in High School. Once a person is in High School, they've had 8 years of school experience to (hopefully) teach them good speaking skills.

Side: No, they should not.
8 points

7th Graders really are not mature enough for some of the arguments we have here at CD. I do not think that they would put much into the website other than crap. Not to name anyone but there are a couple of people at this site around my age that put up the stupidest posts and their arguments annoy me because they are ridiculous and stupid. This ( these are ) high school student(s) that I am speaking of.

Some of the debates here are over my head at 16 those are the debates I do not post in. Maybe we could mark debates as being 15 years or older debates. There are reasons for why middle schoolers cannot ' get ahead ' in 8th grade in classes like English (like they can in Algebra ), because they are not mature enough to understand the material given to them.

All in all they just are not mature enough for some of the debates here. I just do not think they would put in enough logical arguments.

Side: No, they should not.
frenchieak(1132) Disputed
1 point

Who's to say that someone is or is not mature solely due to age?

I could have handled many of these debates just fine when I was in seventh grade. Sure, I might not have had the grasp of grammar nor the vocabulary that I put to use today, but that does not mean that my opinions don't matter or all of my ideas would have been stupid.

As for the "15 years or older" debates, well, let's just say, you can be whatever age you want to on a website. There are 18 or older age limits on almost every website on the internet, but people under 18 are some of their biggest users, and I'm pretty sure that the managers of the sites know this.

This particular website already has a safeguard against someone not arguing logically; the voting system. There are plenty of "adults" on the site that do not post logical arguments. Enough downvotes, and these arguments will pretty much go away.

Side: Yes, they should.
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
4 points

Well frenchie maybe you are different i am sure that I could have posted some reasonable arguments on CD but I know that I would not be able to put into the debates we have like religion, health care, and politics because I would not really be paying attention to things like politics health care and religion ( other than my own ). When I was in 6th grade the election meant nothing to me. I had no idea what the hell was going on and I just said John Kerry for prez just because he was a democrat and that I thought democrats were good and republicans were bad.

For starters what kind of school is this guy teaching from? It must be a private school since most schools have all kinds of web protection like Betsy and Websense that prevent kids from ' streaming media, viewing blogs, and file sharing '.

Are we allowed to drive at 13 ? Why not ? It is not that we are not tall enough to reach the pedal is it?

It is not so long ago that you were 13 so you are telling me that the only difference between you now and you in 7th grade is that your vocabulary has increased ( DONT FORGET THE GRAMMAR! ) ? That is bs.

I am not saying that all of your arguments or ideas would have been stupid I am saying that you would not have gotten all the debates back then. What would your opinion have been on universal health care back then? Mine would have been ' WTF is that '.

Side: No, they should not.

No, they should not. And I'll give you one reason why..... ready?..... Joe Cavalry ;)

If you think TV rots your brain, just try a heavy dose of JC. ;)

Side: No, they should not.
5 points

I would not have let a 7th grade JC onto this site =] I would have formed virtual mobs and started virtual riots.

Side: No, they should not.

You can't get rid of me that easy ;)

Side: No, they should not.
5 points

Many debates mentioned on this site are too sophisticated for someone of a 7th grade education to put a well thought out argument about. If they are allowed to join this site then soon we will have people putting up debates like Jesus or Politico used to! That alone is enough reason not to allow them to join. If you want to give them a website where they can learn how to debate, check out the boards of neopoets.

Side: No, they should not.
3 points

Exactly politico was a nightmare from what I saw. We have enough immature people on the site already. We do not want to see those immature people at an even younger age do we?

Side: No, they should not.

NO! They should not be allowed to use this site unless an age category or categories are listed for them. I believe no one under the age of 18 should be here, on the main CD boards. I believe, beyond the shadow of a doubt there should be two additional age categories added. Those that are ages 12 - 14 and those that are 15 - 17. The levels of debate have suffered here on CD since allowing entrance through the school debates. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and some teens will be smarter than their age and vice-versa.

The only thing is...will they be honest when listing their ages? They may or may not be but one can always tell if they've lied about that. It comes through very clearly in their debates and rebuttals. Information can be had but it's when you begin to disagree that it becomes sophomoric and obvious.

Although I have many friends that are in the underage groups, these are the special ones...who not only possess the knowledge, but for the most part do not engage in child-like responses.

Side: No, they should not.
3 points

I think the middle schoolers, if they REALLY want to go on this site, should get their own "Junior Debate" forum. I honestly don't think the average 7th grader has a good grasp on valid points in these debates.

Side: Make a junior forum
3 points

no they shouldn't because once one finds out about this then they will tell there friends and it will all become one big joke to them making our discussions useless and pointless besides most of their opinions are based off there parents so it wouldnt even be there thoughts :P thanks for reading

Side: No, they should not.
3 points

no i do not beleave they should simply becuase they don't know enough of whats going on in the world, and of course you are gonna have your random crazy smart ones but there is always an exption to the rule and so you must vote on the majority and the majority is that no they sould not

Side: No, they should not.
2 points

If you make them take logic/debate classes first, fine.

In fact, I wish this site had more moderation along the lines of correcting logical fallacies. What we have here, by and large, is not real debate, but gainsaying and simplistic, regurgitated rhetoric. Real debate requires a moderator. When debates are self-moderated by the creator, it becomes simplistic, farcical, and an aberration of what debate is designed to promote.

Side: No, they should not.
2 points

I'm saying no strictly for the reason that the majority of 7th graders, and any teenager, would make this site less appealing. Teenagers are truly good at dominating the web and annoying the the mature populations. There should definitely be an age limit to joining this site, although anyone could lie about their age to gain access. But I wouldn't recommend teenagers on here. But on the other hand... would a 7th grader truly into debate be a bad idea? Wouldn't the 7th graders that don't even like debating probably rather wander to other sites on web to spend their time, like, myspace? It really takes a lot of determination to wander to a site like this to annoy people. So, maybe it wouldn't matter if 7th graders came on because many probably wouldn't even bother.

Side: No, they should not.

I agree that if young students enjoy debate, they should receive their own section of the website or an entirely different website for their benefit. Their participation in CD could be harmful to them when they are faced with adult issues and harmful to its users when they are being deceived into believing that they are arguing with responsible, intelligent adults as opposed to young, if perhaps bright, children.

Side: No, they should not.
2 points

Hell no! Considering there are sick, twisted idiots like Garry77777 running around, Id say it's not a good idea.

Side: No, they should not.
2 points

I have thought quite extensively about this argument and have come to the conclusion that no, I don't believe they should be allowed to use this site. Children at that age are very impressionable. A site like this gives many adults the opportunity to voice their opinion on any subject in a very specific manner. Their is no real way for any information or facts to be proved as true or false. Many peoples opinions are formed after years of hardship or just plain prejudice. Children of that age should be taught the facts, and their opinions of many topics should be evolved naturally. They should develop them through experience and education, not from reading the opinions of people who have had the time to develop their own. This type of website could be a huge advantage to exposing them to new ideas, but it should be from people their own age, with their same social situations. A site similar to this for school age children with a moderator of some kind would be the best way to go about this. We need the youth of this world to see the effects of our decisions and opinions, and make their own decisions accordingly. Not to just keep repeating our actions.

Side: No, they should not.
1 point

Kids are not well developed enough to be critical thinkers or disagree politely.

Please only invite the clever students who aren't 'know-it-alls' to avoid a flurry of spam.

Side: No, they should not.
1 point

It wouldn't be a good idea, considering the language many users choose to use.

I agree with either a censored site that will not allow publishing of foul language, or a site just for students.

Side: No, they should not.
1 point

The problem with having kids participating in debates - as you can see if you happen to find post by young kids - is that they tend to "cheat" the debates by double or triple posting, inadvertently drop and raise scores, and other sorts of actions to make the result suit their liking or belief.

There's also the issue of unsubstantiated opinions, but that happens even with most adults here (and everywhere, really), so I won't even consider it relevant in this matter.

Side: No, they should not.
1 point

If they are guided accordingly, I guess yes they should. Educate them to have better responsibility when accessing those sites. I have read similar concern from a blogs post of cheap web design in vancouver, canada, they are promoting the idea however, everyone must comply with the reuses.

Side: No, they should not.
0 points

they shouldn't use the website coz

1. they won't understand half the words

2. they won't know what they are writing

3. i can't think of something just now but if i remember i'd come back to the debate

Side: No, they should not.
juliamary998(2) Disputed
1 point

mitgag, I disagree to that, as

1. I was in grade seven last year, they aren't as dumb as you may think.

2. Again grade sevens are smart, majority of them wouldn't write something if they didn't know about it.

Also the website doesn't ask for an age, therefore they are doing nothing wrong.

Side: Yes, they should.
mitgag(1652) Disputed
1 point

well may be not but they aren't that smart as you think so I guess my point is not so bad.

majority of them wouldn't write something if they didn't know about it.

well when they don't know about it then they will try to find some topic to debate on and createdebate has many debates and many people some good some bad . so they might start off debating on stupid topics

Side: No, they should not.