Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba believes the easy access to explicit online pornography is now a ‘public health crisis‘.
The presenter, age 39, explained on the Daily Mail’s Life of Bryony podcast that it’s surprisingly easy for children with smartphones to accidentally come across inappropriate content – it can be found with just a few taps on the screen.
He shared that he had struggled with pornography addiction for thirty years, and this led to thoughts of suicide.
Oduba first started gambling when he was nine years old and explained how it led to panic attacks, damaged his relationships, and resulted in him spending ‘thousands of pounds‘ on online subscriptions.
The celebrity spoke out to reduce the stigma surrounding pornography addiction and urge those struggling with it to seek support. He also asked technology companies to strengthen their efforts to prevent children from seeing harmful content.
‘We are growing up on an unhealthy diet of sexualised content’, Oduba told columnist Bryony Gordon.
Growing up, I’ve seen a disturbing change in what’s considered normal online. What used to be unusual is now commonplace on these platforms.
The sheer intensity and violence… it’s become disturbingly common and easy to find this kind of content.
The Children’s Commissioner recently released a report highlighting what I believe is a serious public health issue affecting young people.
‘Kids as young as six years old are accessing harmful adult content. It’s normal.
‘The average age is between 11-13 for seeing this type of material, 60% of those are by accident.
People aren’t actively searching, but they’re still encountering it while simply using the internet as usual. It’s appearing as they go about their daily online routines.
This content is easily accessible – you can find most of it, around 80%, on social media. It’s common for this content to include violence.
Oduba explained that his constant need to watch explicit content felt like he was being ‘destroyed from the inside,’ and he admitted he became very skilled at hiding his secret life from those closest to him.
He said: ‘I had this inner conflict – a gut feeling that was so against the path I was going down.
Things became so overwhelming that I started having thoughts of ending my life. I felt completely hopeless, like I’d reached a dead end and couldn’t see any other options.
David Oduba began to turn his life around after the heartbreaking loss of his non-binary sibling, Lola, who died by suicide in April 2025. He shared that Lola had also faced challenges with addiction and mental health.
Having been sober for a year and a half, the speaker shared guidance for those battling addiction. He explained that, similar to overcoming dependence on drugs or alcohol, the crucial first step is acknowledging you have a problem.
The speaker explained that recognizing you’re facing a challenge is the first step towards improvement. Remember, the problem isn’t you – and support is available if you need it.
When I think about the world today, dominated by smartphones and digital technology, it’s clear that many of the changes we’re experiencing aren’t things we’ve actively chosen.
‘You should develop an understanding that this behaviour isn’t a choice.
Reach out to the people who support you. It feels like, in that moment, no one will understand or accept who we are.
When do we finally understand that people will accept us as we are and offer support during tough times? It’s realizing they’re there to help us navigate challenges.
Overcoming this is a continuous process, requiring consistent effort and small improvements. It took me hitting several low points, years of therapy, experiencing the loss of loved ones, and a major life shift to finally realize what was happening and decide I wanted to make a change.
‘We have so much to live for in a positive, beautiful way, with the people that we care about.’
For confidential support, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
If you are struggling with similar issues, help can be found via the charity nakedtruthproject.com.
Find the complete interview with Ore Oduba by searching for “The Life of Bryony” on your favorite podcast app. New episodes come out every Monday.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- PUBG Mobile or BGMI A16 Royale Pass Leaks: Upcoming skins and rewards
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Episode 5 & 6 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Zack Snyder’s ‘Sucker Punch’ Finds a New Streaming Home
- Deneme Bonusu Veren Siteler – En Gvenilir Bahis Siteleri 2025.4338
- Clash Royale Season 77 “When Hogs Fly” November 2025 Update and Balance Changes
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Tom Cruise’s Emotional Victory Lap in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- There’s A Big Theory Running Around About Joe Alwyn Supporting Taylor Swift Buying Her Masters, And I’m Busting Out The Popcorn
2025-11-10 17:34