At just 17, Tejasvi Manoj, an Indian-American from Frisco, Texas, has been named TIME magazine’s Kid of the Year 2025, and her mission could not be more timely. She is working to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in the digital world: seniors falling prey to online scams.
Her award-winning project, Shield Seniors, is an innovative website designed to help the 60-plus demographic identify, analyze, and report fraudulent messages. In its private preview phase, the platform allows users to upload suspicious emails or texts, scans them with AI, and then provides reporting links if the messages prove to be scams.
“Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it,” TIME said in its announcement.
Manoj is not just this year’s Kid of the Year, she also became the first honoree to earn recognition as a TIME for Kids Service Star, an initiative celebrating young people making a positive social impact.
Her journey began back in eighth grade, when she started coding. By 2024, she had already made her mark with an honorable mention in the Congressional App Challenge. In early 2025, she delivered a TEDx talk in Plano, Texas, emphasizing the urgent need to build “digital bridges” that make technology accessible and safe for all generations.
Beyond tech, Tejasvi plays violin in her school orchestra, is active in Scouting America, tutors Bhutanese refugees in math and English through the nonprofit Vibha, and volunteers with the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council.
“I started volunteering in sixth grade,” she told TIME. “I think it’s really important; if you are lucky yourself, you want to make sure other people feel loved and lucky too.”
Currently powered by a free AI engine, Shield Seniors remains in private testing as Tejasvi works on fundraising efforts to transition the platform to a commercial AI system capable of hosting larger audiences.
“We plan to open it to a wider audience once we secure funding to support broader access,” she said, urging families to “check up on your loved ones” and ensure seniors are staying safe online.
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