Kialo is a free platform created to host insightful debates and discuss complex issues. Users can join in on current discussions or create new threads, and these threads can be made open or restricted to the public. After the topic is out, users can either be for (pro) or against (con) and also add their opinions (claims). Kialo allows topic creators to moderate claims so that they are fresh, stay on topic, and are non-offensive.

Website: https://www.kialo.com/

What Users Love About the App

“Use it well and it’ll be fun; teachers can create debates or discussions for any subject or topic ranging from the political to the whimsical. The design is complex but elegant and easy to use.”

“Kialo is a great platform for decision-making and seeing the reasoning behind different sides of issues. I like that it offers a better alternative to discussing things than social media platforms.”

“Kialo is a platform to facilitate discussion on various intellectual and social topics. It encourages rational thought and civil discussion.”

“Discovered this site when searching for pro con lists for my students. Wonderful resource to teach them the pros and cons of issues and have them write their own argument maps.”

“It’s free and very easy to use. Students loved bing able to reply to others and the many interesting features.”

What Users Dislike About the App

“Most arguments aren’t binary like the site wants. Moderators can be heavily biased. Many topics require approval to post any topic.”

“The binary set-up creates false ‘noise’. The moderation could be more neutral (and more intelligent, frankly ) but more so it could help shape an argument rather than ‘tidy’ . Sometimes the mods seem to be machine bots reacting to single words and not context.”