Online Safety Hub Launched for Parents and Carers

Parents and carers are being encouraged to explore a new digital resource designed to help families navigate the fast-changing online world safely and confidently.

The William Henry Smith School Online Safety Hub is hosted by Smoothwall - a UK-based digital safeguarding and online safety company that provides internet filtering, monitoring, and wellbeing tools mainly for schools, colleges, and education organisations.

Why is this so important?

With children spending more time online for learning, gaming, socialising, and entertainment, many parents are looking for trusted support to help keep their families safe.

The new platform has been created to provide accessible, jargon-free advice that parents can use in everyday life. The wider Online Safety Hub initiative focuses on helping adults understand online risks, encourage healthy digital habits, and have informed conversations with children about their online experiences.

Resources for parents

The hub includes resources on topics such as:

• Age-appropriate apps and platforms

• Cyberbullying and online behaviour

• Gaming and livestreaming platforms

• Online scams and harmful content

• Privacy settings and parental controls

• Screen time and digital wellbeing

• Social media safety

Guidance and support

Parents can also access guidance designed to help them better understand the apps, trends, and technologies their children are using every day.

Online safety experts say that open communication between parents and children remains one of the most effective ways to build safer digital habits. The platform aims to support those conversations by providing realistic, evidence-informed advice rather than fear-based messaging.

How to access this resource

We encourage all parents and carers to take advantage of this free resource and explore the information available through the platform. You can access the hub directly at:

whsschool.onlinesafetyhub.uk