Introduction to Tejasvi Manoj
Tejasvi Manoj from Plano, Texas, is an average 17-year-old in many ways. She spends her days balancing schoolwork and college applications. However, she also dedicates a significant amount of her time to a unique endeavor – teaching older adults how to avoid financial scams at senior centers.
The Inspiration Behind Her Mission
Manoj’s calling began last year when her grandfather became the target of a fraud effort. He received a text message from someone pretending to be a family member, asking for emergency funds and requesting that he transfer $2,000 into a bank account. Fortunately, Manoj’s grandfather and grandmother contacted their family members and discovered the scam before transferring the money.
Creating Shield Seniors
The incident was alarming for Manoj, prompting her to explore and create a website and an app called Shield Seniors. The platform demonstrates what online scams look like and how to report them. In July, she spoke at a TEDx event, and this week, she made the cover of Time Magazine as “Kid of the Year.”
The Rising Threat of Fraud
Manoj’s research shows that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to make their scams appear more legitimate. According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, people lost a total of $4.8 billion in 2024 to scams – twice as high as five years ago. Manoj’s app uses AI to enable users to recognize potential fraud attempts.
Empowering Older Adults
Manoj has taken some computer science courses but mostly learned about coding and AI through YouTube. Her mission is to ensure that older adults are aware of cybersecurity and that it’s not embarrassing to ask for help. She plans to continue working on Shield Seniors and finding ways to use technology for social good.
Future Plans
Manoj is currently seeking financial resources for her app and hopes to launch Shield Seniors by the end of the year. Her long-term plans include expanding her work to empower older adults and using technology to drive positive change.
