The ozone layer is like the shield that protects us from the harmful rays of the sun. It is like when you wear sunscreen so you don't get burnt, but for the whole planet!
The sun gives off a lot of dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems. The ozone layer is made up of a special kind of oxygen molecule called ozone (O3) that blocks out most of these UV rays.
Unfortunately, certain chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were used in things like refrigerators and spray cans in the past. These chemicals cause damage to the ozone layer, making it thinner and less effective at blocking UV rays.
Luckily, people realized this was a problem and stopped using CFCs. Now, the ozone layer is slowly recovering and getting thicker again, which is great news for us and the planet!