At just 17, Tejasvi Manoj, an Indian American teen from Texas, is named as the TIME’s Kid of the Year 2025. She is also making waves in the tech world, not just for her skills, but for the social impact she’s creating , Tejasvi is being recognised as one of the most promising young changemakers in the country.
Who is Tejasvi Manoj?
Born in California and raised in Dallas since the age of eight, Tejasvi was immersed in a world of technology from an early age, both her parents are software engineers.
It was not until middle school that she discovered her own passion for tech. After joining ‘Girls Who Code,’ a national non- profit that empowers young women in computing, something clicked.
“That is when I realised how amazing coding can be and how much I enjoy it,” she recalled in an interview with The Global Indian. Moreover, I understood the impact I can make by learning to code, and I instantly knew I wanted to pursue it in the future.”
What started as a spark of curiosity soon became a calling, one that earned her national recognition and positioned her as a leading voice for digital literacy and inclusion.
Tejasvi is best known for creating ‘Shield Seniors,’ an AI-powered app designed to protect older adults from online scams. The app educates seniors about online safety, analyses suspicious messages using artificial intelligence, and connects potential victims to fraud reporting resources.
Texas Governor congratulates Tejasvi Manoj
Greg Abbot, Governor of Texas, took to X and congratulated Tejasvi. The post read, “Texas is home to bright young leaders like Tejasvi Manoj of Frisco. She launched Shield Seniors to protect older Texans from fraud. Now she’s TIME’s Kid of the Year. Tejasvi truly embodies the Texas spirit—grit, innovation, and service.”
Texas is home to bright young leaders like Tejasvi Manoj of Frisco.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 9, 2025
She launched Shield Seniors to protect older Texans from fraud.
Now she’s TIME’s Kid of the Year.
Tejasvi truly embodies the Texas spirit—grit, innovation, and service.https://t.co/c5zTmenhYI
What was her inspiration to start Shield Seniors?
Her inspiration came from a personal experience. When her grandfather was nearly scammed online, Tejasvi realised just how vulnerable many seniors are to digital threats.
In response, she leveraged her coding skills, honed through years of self-learning and programs like the Congressional App Challenge, where she received an Honourable Mention in 2024, to build a solution with real-world impact.
Beyond her technical work, Tejasvi is also a passionate advocate. She delivers cybersecurity workshops for seniors, speaks at public events including TEDx, and actively promotes digital literacy among underserved populations. Her programming toolkit includes languages like Java and Python, but her real strength lies in bridging the gap between technology and community empowerment.
Looking ahead, she hopes to major in computer science, with a focus on AI and cybersecurity, while continuing her advocacy for digital dignity and safety.
How does the app function?
Tejasvi said in an interview with Shoutout Dew, “Shield Seniors addresses this by offering an intuitive and accessible platform tailored specifically for older adults. The app not only raises awareness about cybersecurity but also equips users with practical tools such as a virtual assistant for immediate assistance, an image analysis feature to assess suspicious requests, and user-friendly educational content to foster safe online practices.”
She further added, “Through these resources, Shield Seniors empowers seniors to navigate the digital world confidently, significantly reduces the risk of financial exploitation, and contributes to building a more informed, secure, and resilient community.”
