Robert Tokunaga

Dr. Robert Tokunaga is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research focuses on the "dark side" of Internet participation, including problematic internet use, digital surveillance, and the social and psychological impacts of pornography consumption. He has achieved significant academic recognition, including being named among the Top 1% most published authors in central communication journals globally in 2018.

• Ph.D. in Communication from University of Arizona (2012)
• M.A. and B.A. in Speech from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

His research explores:

• Sexual satisfaction and condom use behavior influenced by pornography
• Gendered perceptions and sexual scripting in media
• Intergroup cyberbullying dynamics in mixed-race schools
• Control variable methodology in observational pornography research

Key findings include:

• 2025 meta-analysis confirming negative correlation between men's pornography use and sexual satisfaction
• 2024 study showing stronger pornography effects in older adults regarding impersonal sex
• 2023 research on sexual insecurity as mediator for orgasm difficulty
• 2016 pioneering work on interpersonal surveillance in relationships

Scientific awards:

• Herbert S. Dordick Dissertation Award (2013) from International Communication Association

His work has been cited in Vox, CNN, Cosmopolitan, and Los Angeles Times, with particular attention to cyberbullying victimization and digital self-regulation patterns.