Advanced topic · Debate & discussion
Technology & human relationships
Are our screens bringing us together or pushing us apart? It's personal for every student — which makes it the perfect topic to argue, with the language to do it well.
Warm-up · ask three
- How many hours a day are you on your phone, honestly?
- When did you last have a long talk with no phones around?
- Do you prefer texting or calling — and why?
Closer, or further apart?
Let's talk
Discussion & debate questions
Start with the easier B2 questions to build confidence, then push to the C1 stretch. Project the generator, filter by level, and give a student 60 seconds.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
How we connect now
- How has technology changed the way you talk to friends?B2
- Do you prefer texting or talking face-to-face? Why?B2
- How do you keep in touch with people who live far away?B2
- Is it easier to share your feelings by text or in person?B2
- How many of your closest friends did you first meet online?B2
Deck 2
The good and the bad
- What's one good thing technology has done for your relationships?B2
- And what's one bad thing?B2
- Has your phone ever caused an argument?B2
- Do you feel closer to people, or further away, because of tech?B2
- How do you feel when a friend is on their phone the whole time you're together?B2
Deck 3
Online vs real life
- Can an online friend be as close as a real-life one?B2
- Would your relationships survive a week with no technology?B2
- Is it rude to check your phone in the middle of a conversation?B2
- Are online friendships really "friendships" in the full sense?C1
- Does social media show real life, or a carefully edited version?C1
Deck 4
Feelings & wellbeing
- Should there be "phone-free" times at home?B2
- Does social media affect how you feel about yourself?C1
- Are we more connected, yet more lonely, than ever?C1
- Does constant messaging make people more anxious?C1
- How has technology changed the way couples meet and date?C1
Deck 5
Big debates
- Is technology strengthening or weakening human relationships overall?C1
- Should young children be kept away from smartphones?C1
- Whose job is it to manage screen time — parents, schools, or tech companies?C1
- Will future generations lose the art of face-to-face conversation?C1
- Is "switching off" a luxury, or a necessity?C1
Argue with confidence
Useful language
This topic has two sides to every point — so the key language is for balancing and conceding. Pre-teach these to make it work for B2 as well as C1.
Debate phrases
For weighing both sides and giving ground gracefully.
Giving a balanced view
Agreeing & disagreeing
Conceding & countering
Generalising carefully (C1)
Words & phrases
Topic vocabulary to sound precise and current.
in person, not online
"I prefer a face-to-face chat."
time spent looking at devices
"My screen time is way too high."
a planned break from technology
"I did a weekend digital detox."
to suddenly stop all contact
"He just ghosted me — no reply."
the version of you that you show online
"Her online persona is so polished."
swiping through content without thinking
"I lose hours to mindless scrolling."
the fear of missing out
"Social media gives me real FOMO."
Judging-the-impact word bank
Words to describe what technology does to us.
Model debate
Leila & Noah, phones on the table
Notice how each underlined phrase concedes a point before countering it — that's what keeps a debate friendly. Then run the formal one.
Dinner for two. One of them keeps glancing at a buzzing phone.
Could you put your phone down for five minutes?
Sorry! Force of habit. Honestly though, my phone keeps me close to people.
On the whole, I think it does the opposite. We're sitting here and you're only half here.
Fair, that's on me. But it's a double-edged sword — I talk to my sister abroad every single day now.
Granted, for long distance it's amazing. I'm not denying that.
And group chats keep my old friends together. We'd have drifted apart otherwise.
That said, do you ever just… sit with someone, no screens at all?
Less than I'd like, honestly. You've got a point there.
I think it depends on how you use it. A tool, not a habit.
I take your point. Maybe the problem isn't the tech — it's the self-control.
By and large, yeah. So — phones face down till dessert?
Deal. Look how connected we are already.
Now hold the debate
Proposition · for the motion
More harm
You argue that screens replace real closeness with shallow contact, fuel anxiety and comparison, and quietly pull people apart.
Opposition · against the motion
More good
You argue that technology keeps families and friends connected across distance, builds new communities, and helps people who feel alone.
Your mission
- Take your side, even if it's not what you personally believe.
- Prepare two arguments — each one a Point, an Example and an Explanation.
- Predict one argument the other side will make, and prepare your response.
- Debate: one minute each to argue, then one rebuttal each. Use at least three phrases from the language section.
Classroom game
What Would You Do?
Real digital dilemmas with no perfect answer. The class votes on a reaction, then students from different sides defend their choice. There's no "right" move — only how well you argue it.
Dilemma 1
The situation
Press “Next dilemma” to begin.
How to play: Read the situation, then take a vote and tap the totals in. Pick a student from the most popular option and one from the least, and give each 45 seconds to defend their choice using the debate phrases.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Turn the debate into writing. These are B2–C1 tasks — encourage a balanced view, real examples, and the conceding language from the lesson.
01
Write about a time technology helped you stay close to someone. What happened?
02
Describe a whole day with no technology. Would it be a positive or negative experience?
03
"Social media makes us more connected and more alone." Discuss both sides.
04
"Families should set clear rules for technology use at home." How far do you agree?
05
What will human relationships look like in an increasingly digital world?
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student finishes the sentence — a small, personal commitment they could actually keep.
"Finish this: the healthiest rule I'd set for my own phone use is…"