Investigations by Kent Police found Gough had made contact with his victims via private Facebook chats and text messages between 2011 and 2013.
On several occasions, he sent pornographic images to boys.
He was arrested on 28 June 2013 and a warrant was carried out at his home address where mobile phones, computers and IT equipment were seized and examined. Officers found more than 250 indecent images of children on his hard drives.
Detective Sergeant Shaun Creed from Kent Police said: "Gough tried to suggest his inappropriate contact with young boys was just a bit of friendly banter when in fact he made his victims feel uncomfortable and often scared.
"Gough knew his victims and abused his position of trust to try and get close to them.
"I'd like to pay tribute to those victims and their families for having the courage to come forward and support a prosecution and hopefully Gough's sentencing will bring some closure to them."
