TIME magazine has named Tejasvi Manoj, a 16-year-old innovator from Cupertino, California, as its 2025 Kid of the Year. Manoj received the prestigious honor for her groundbreaking non-profit initiative, “Shield Seniors,” a project dedicated to protecting elderly individuals from the growing threat of online scams.
Manoj’s journey began after witnessing her own grandparents fall victim to a digital scam, an experience that left her heartbroken and determined to find a solution. Realizing that many seniors lack the necessary digital literacy to spot sophisticated online traps, she created “Shield Seniors,” a comprehensive program that provides free online workshops and educational resources.
The program, which is powered by a network of volunteers, teaches seniors how to identify and avoid common scams, including phishing emails, fake tech support calls, and social media fraud. “We don’t just tell them what to look for,” Manoj explained in an interview with TIME. “We empower them to understand the psychology behind the scams, so they can feel confident and secure in the digital world.”
Since its launch in 2023, “Shield Seniors” has reached thousands of elders across the United States through partnerships with senior community centers and libraries. Manoj also developed a user-friendly mobile app that uses AI to analyze suspicious messages and flag potential scams in real-time, making it an accessible and powerful tool for protection.
In selecting Manoj, TIME’s judging committee highlighted her unique blend of empathy, technological skill, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her work is not only a brilliant solution to a pervasive problem but also a powerful example of how young people can use their talents to address real-world issues.
