A recent study has found that COVID-19 lockdowns prematurely aged teenagers' brains, particularly affecting females. Researchers compared brain scans of teenagers taken before and after the pandemic and found that the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, thinned more rapidly than expected in teenagers, especially in girls. This accelerated aging effect was more pronounced in girls, potentially because of the vital role that peer relationships play in female adolescent identity and emotional support. While the study highlights the negative impact of lockdowns on brain development, further research is needed to determine if the thinning rate has slowed since the pandemic and if there is potential for recovery.