Every year, TIME and TIME for Kids honor young changemakers with the title Kid of the Year, spotlighting those who use their creativity and courage to bring positive change. In 2025, that honor went to Tejasvi Manoj, a 17-year-old Indian-American teenager from Frisco, Texas. Her achievement is not just about technological innovation; it is a story of empathy, resilience, and the power of bridging generations in the digital age.

Inspiration Born from Personal Loss

For Tejasvi, the journey began close to home. Her grandfather was once targeted by an online scam, an experience that left her shaken but determined. Instead of simply lamenting the dangers of the digital world, she decided to act. Out of that resolve came Shield Seniors, a platform designed to educate older adults about online fraud and arm them with tools to protect themselves.

Building Shield Seniors: Where Tech Meets Empathy

Creating Shield Seniors was no easy feat, as seniors often find technology intimidating while cybercrime continues to evolve rapidly. Tejasvi embraced these challenges head-on by combining her coding skills with user-centered design. The platform integrates AI-powered assistance to analyze suspicious messages or emails, step-by-step safety guides written in simple and accessible language, and a friendly chatbot where seniors can ask questions without hesitation. To ensure comfort and ease, she also focused on visual redesigns, making navigation smooth for older adults who may struggle with complicated layouts. Tejasvi constantly tested the app with seniors, gathering their feedback and redesigning it multiple times to make it truly senior-friendly. 

Learning on the Go: From Coding to Generative AI

What makes Tejasvi’s journey even more inspiring is that she learned many skills as she built the platform. She had to teach herself generative AI applications, entrepreneurial planning, and public speaking all while balancing schoolwork. Her persistence was recognized when she received an honorable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge. Beyond competitions, she also gave talks in places like Plano, Texas, to encourage more conversations about digital bridges between generations. 

While technology is at the core of Tejasvi’s project, its heart lies in human connection. She admits to feeling nervous before her first seminar, worrying that no one would show up. Instead, the room filled with eager seniors scribbling notes, asking questions, and expressing gratitude. That moment cemented her belief in the value of intergenerational learning. It is not just about cybercrime prevention; it is about seniors feeling respected, included, and capable in a world that often overlooks them.

Balancing Cultures, Carrying Values

As a second-generation immigrant, Tejasvi straddles two worlds: her Indian heritage and American upbringing. She sees this dual identity not as a challenge but as a strength. Her parents encouraged her to believe in herself, reminding her that her actions could make a difference both in the U.S. and India. This cultural balance shapes her vision: building tools that can protect not just American seniors but also vulnerable populations worldwide, especially in countries like India where digital scams are rampant. Currently, Shield Seniors is in private preview mode, but its potential is vast. By combining artificial intelligence with human empathy, Tejasvi’s work could scale to protect millions of seniors worldwide. As cybercrime grows more sophisticated, her initiative is a reminder that digital literacy is as essential as reading and writing in today’s world.