‘Shield Seniors’ app against online fraud; Indian student wins TIME magazine award

FRISCO, Texas — Tejasvi Manoj, a 17-year-old senior at Lebanon Trail High School, has been named TIME’s 2025 Kid of the Year for her groundbreaking work protecting older adults from online fraud.

Inspired by her grandfather’s near brush with an email scam, Manoj created Shield Seniors, a website that helps senior citizens identify suspicious messages and report scams. Still in private testing, the project has already earned national recognition, including an honorable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge.

A passionate coder since middle school, Manoj honed her skills through programs like Girls Who Code, Cyber-Patriot, and the Mark Cuban AI Bootcamp. She has also shared her expertise through TEDx talks and seminars at senior living facilities.

Beyond tech, Manoj is an Eagle Scout, violinist, and active volunteer with organizations like the North Texas Food Bank and Vibha. Leaders from across Texas, including Gov. Greg Abbott, praised her innovation and service.

“This is supposed to bring people a sense of ‘You’re not alone,’” Manoj told TIME. “Getting scammed is nothing to be ashamed of — reporting it helps protect others too.”

Manoj is the first North Texas student since 2021 to earn the Kid of the Year title, cementing her place as a rising leader in technology and community service.