Seventeen-year-old Tejasvi Manoj from Plano, Texas, has been named Time magazine’s “Kid of the Year” for her efforts to protect seniors from online scams using her tech skills. While balancing high school classes and college applications, Manoj has dedicated significant time to teaching older adults how to spot and avoid financial fraud. Her mission began when her grandfather received a scam text message pretending to be a family member in distress, asking for $2,000 to be wired. Thanks to quick thinking and family communication, the scam was caught before any money was lost. But the incident deeply affected Manoj, prompting her to investigate the growing threat of digital fraud targeting seniors. She taught herself computer science and AI through YouTube tutorials and created a website and app called Shield Seniors. The tool helps users identify suspicious messages by analyzing text, email, or phone calls for scam indicators. Using AI, the app can flag potential threats—such as urgent requests for money or mismatched sender information—giving users a real-time warning. Manoj has already delivered a TEDx talk and now finds herself on the cover of Time magazine, a moment she described as overwhelming and life-changing. “I found out 12 hours before the article released. I was in shock. It was the greatest surprise of my life,” she said. Her work comes at a critical time. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, victims aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024—double the amount from five years prior. Many older adults feel vulnerable and less familiar with modern technology, making them prime targets. “I want older adults to know they shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask for help,” Manoj said. “Cybersecurity awareness is not just for tech experts—it’s for everyone.” Though she’s still seeking funding to fully launch Shield Seniors, Manoj hopes the recognition from Time will help her bring the app to market by the end of the year. Her long-term goal is to continue using technology for social good, empowering communities through digital safety and education.