WASHINGTON, DC – July 9, 2002 – Dr. Kimberly Young, a licensed psychologist and director of the Center for Online Addiction was invited to speak at NASA’s annual conference for the Office of Occupational Health in Washington, DC.  Young’s participation in the conference was coordinated through the Kennedy Space Center, which was attended by senior-level healthcare managers and employee service providers.  The conference focuses on assessment and management of health threats and Young, also the author of Caught in the Net, the first recovery book to address Internet Addiction, will address employee Internet abuse in the workplace.  The workshop reviews assessment procedures of workers suspected of Internet misuse, therapy issues with the Internet-addicted client, and risk management programs to protect companies from productivity and liability concerns. 

“Cyber-slaking has resulted in a reported four billion dollars in lost productivity due to Internet abuse,” states Young, who has researched the field of Internet addiction since 1994.  “Employees that surf pornography sites, financial information, to eBay during work hours translates into missed deadlines, poor customer service, and a loss of goodwill for corporations.  Worker Internet abuse also leaves companies at risk for sexual harassment suits based upon discriminatory email and disability claims under the ADA for Internet addiction.”  

The Center for OnLine Addiction is the first recovery firm and web-based resource network to specialize in cyber-related problems.  Netaddiction.com offers e-consumers self-evaluation tests, research articles, referral links, an e-newsletter, and an online bookstore.  Our professional services include personal coaching, corporate seminars, healthcare training, program development, and forensic evaluations. Dr Kimberly Young, a licensed psychologist, founded the company in January of 1995 and today the Center for OnLine Addiction is internationally recognized as the leading healthcare resource for online disorders.