Debating Commoner, report from week 4
Our motion today: This house believes social media is harmful for children. The report this week is written by Arthur M in 8S.
Proposition: Javier Robinson, Connor Wan
Opposition: Nathan Cheung, Zubin Dsouza
Judges: Zachary Seto, Mathew Zhou
We started with Proposition 1, Javier R. Javier spoke very clearly and confidently. He had amazing points and supported them with lots of evidence. He argued that social media prevents people seeing the real picture and how easily misinformation can be spread. The bar was really high! However, Opposition 1, Nathan C, expertly countered Javier's arguments, saying that kids must be trusted to be competent. It was anyone's game.
Proposition 2, Connor W, gave amazing rebuttals and talked about his personal experience with his friends being lied to by misinformation. With one speaker left, things were getting exciting! Opposition 2, Zubin D, came in with lots of confidence explaining how limits can be set on devices which fix almost all problems.
Everyone has spoken, but it's not done yet. Time for questions! Alfie L asked Connor W to explain further about fake tutorials, which was answered well. Boris H asked Zubin D about children turning limits off, which was settled well. Finally, I asked questions to both sides about not seeing the full picture for the Proposition and was explained how online learning wouldn't replace teachers by the Opposition.
Both teams gave very good summaries and now the debate was over!
In the end, although it was very, very close, the winner was Opposition, and the motion was that this house believes that social media is not harmful for children.
Well done to everyone in this week's debate!
Next week: This house believes that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide.
Proposition: Tyler T, Soichiro H
Opposition: Arthur M, Boris H
Also, next week, we are excited to welcome our special guest judge: Mr Darlow
Joy Bailey
Head of History