Tejasvi Manoj (17), an Indian-American from Texas, has been honored as TIME magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year 2025’ for her innovative platform ‘Shield Seniors’, designed to protect older adults from online scams and cyber fraud. This recognition highlights Manoj’s exceptional dedication to technology-driven social impact and positions her as a role model for youth across the globe.
Shield Seniors: Protecting Older Adults Online
‘Shield Seniors’ is a web-based platform that helps senior citizens identify, report, and protect themselves from online fraud, phishing emails, and scam messages. By analyzing suspicious communications and providing easy-to-access reporting links, the platform empowers older adults to safeguard their digital lives. The initiative addresses a growing concern as cybercrime targeting seniors continues to rise globally.
Currently in private preview mode, ‘Shield Seniors’ is undergoing further research, development, and fundraising. Manoj plans to expand the platform into a larger AI-powered system, enabling wider access and greater protection for senior citizens worldwide. The initiative combines innovation, social responsibility, and technology to create meaningful change in communities.
A TIME for Kids Service Star
In addition to her selection as TIME Kid of the Year 2025, Tejasvi Manoj is the first honoree to also be recognized as a TIME for Kids Service Star. This award acknowledges her broader contributions to society, including volunteering, tutoring, and community service. Manoj exemplifies how young individuals can leverage technology and community involvement to drive social good.
Historical Context: Indian-American Innovators in TIME’s Kid of the Year
Tejasvi Manoj follows in the footsteps of Gitanjali Rao, the Indian-American scientist and inventor who became the first-ever TIME Kid of the Year in 2020. Rao was recognized for her groundbreaking work addressing issues such as contaminated drinking water, opioid addiction, and cyberbullying through innovative technologies. Both Rao and Manoj demonstrate how Indian-American youth are making a global impact through creativity, science, and social entrepreneurship.
Impact and Future Prospects
The recognition of Tejasvi Manoj as TIME’s Kid of the Year 2025 not only celebrates her innovation in cyber safety but also emphasizes the importance of youth-led technological solutions for societal challenges. By focusing on seniors’ online safety, Manoj is addressing a critical need in today’s increasingly digital world. The planned AI-powered expansion of ‘Shield Seniors’ aims to reach millions of older adults, making digital spaces safer and more accessible.
Tejasvi Manoj’s achievement as TIME Kid of the Year 2025 underscores the power of innovation, compassion, and community service. Through her project ‘Shield Seniors’, she is creating a safer digital environment for older adults while inspiring the next generation of young innovators. Her work reinforces the message that age is no barrier to impact, and that technology, when applied with purpose, can transform lives.
