A former sex offender has shared a disturbing account of how years of exposure to pornography eventually led him toward illegal material on the dark web, as the UK government pushes for tougher online protections for children.

The man, identified only as “Bradley,” spoke publicly about his experiences in an effort to raise awareness about online addiction, harmful internet content, and the growing dangers children face online at increasingly young ages.

His story comes as UK officials announce plans aimed at preventing children from accessing, sharing, or creating explicit images online.

Early Exposure To Pornography

Bradley explained that he first encountered pornography when he was still in primary school.

According to his account, curiosity initially drove him deeper into increasingly extreme online material long before he fully understood sexuality or relationships.

He described becoming desensitized after repeatedly seeking more shocking or graphic content online throughout his childhood and teenage years.

Experts have repeatedly warned that early exposure to explicit material can shape unhealthy attitudes toward intimacy, consent, and relationships, particularly when children lack proper guidance or education.

How His Addiction Escalated

As Bradley grew older, he said his pornography use intensified and eventually became compulsive.

While attending university, he learned about the dark web and began visiting illegal sites containing highly disturbing material.

He admitted he often felt disgusted and ashamed afterward but repeatedly returned to the content despite promising himself he would stop.

Mental health specialists frequently compare compulsive pornography use to other addictive behaviors, where users may continue harmful habits even while recognizing the damage being caused.

Arrest Became A Turning Point

Bradley said his arrest ultimately became the moment his destructive cycle ended.

He admitted that although he understood the material was illegal and harmful, he had spent years trying to justify his behavior to himself while trapped in addiction and secrecy.

Looking back now, he acknowledged that viewing abusive material contributes to the wider exploitation and abuse industry, even if the viewer is not directly creating the content.

He said he now considers himself responsible for contributing to demand and described the moment of his arrest as a strange sense of relief because his “double life” was finally over.

Now Speaking Out About Prevention

Since his conviction, Bradley says he has focused on supporting awareness efforts around addiction recovery and child protection.

He referenced organizations that help people struggling with compulsive sexual behavior seek treatment before offending or escalating further.

Experts in online safety and psychology have increasingly warned about the growing accessibility of explicit content to children through smartphones, social media, and unregulated websites.

UK Government Announces Tougher Rules

The story comes as the UK government announces plans aimed at forcing technology companies to introduce stronger protections for children online.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said companies should make it impossible for children to take, share, or view explicit images online without age verification systems.

Officials cited research showing the majority of online child sexual abuse reports now involve self-generated content created by minors themselves.

Authorities also warned that many children are encountering pornography years before reaching adulthood, raising concerns about long-term psychological and behavioral effects.

Campaigners argue the issue is becoming one of the most urgent online safety challenges facing young people today, particularly as social media and digital platforms continue evolving faster than regulations.