What started as a mission to help her grandfather avoid an online scam transformed into a full-fledged artificial intelligence platform dedicated to protecting senior citizens from cyber fraud. The creator of Shield Seniors, innovator and “TIME” Kid of the Year nominee Tejasvi Manoj has combined her passion for computer science and her mission of improving the community into a way to make the internet safer for older adults.
“[Shield Seniors] is an application that uses AI to help senior citizens or older adults with cybersecurity,” Manoj said. “I did some research beforehand and I found out that a lot of older adults really struggle with using AI and the internet. They are victims to scams and other phishing fraud, and I couldn’t find anything that would help them.”
For Manoj, this issue comes close from home.
“It started with my grandfather; I wanted to help him at first because he almost fell victim to a cyber scam,” Manoj said. “I was trying to find something that could help him and couldn’t find anything, so I decided to make one.”
However, creating this platform was a long process. With no prior experience in artificial intelligence, she turned to the internet for help.
“It took a lot of research and a lot of YouTube tutorials, but I was eventually able to make an AI platform that has a virtual assistant allowing older adults to input their questions and get answers,” Manoj said.
‘Shield Seniors’ allows individuals to understand if a text message or email are fraudulent by allowing them to upload screenshots of the media they receive. In addition to keeping them safe, Manoj’s platform also educates its users on why these messages would be considered a scam and allows them to report the sender as well, preventing further cybercrime.
Beyond the app, Manoj strives to connect with the community directly.
“I go to senior centers and talk about cybersecurity, why it’s important, and why they need to stay safe online,” Manoj said.
Her journey into the field of computer science began in school, but this project took her skills to new heights.
“I took computer science classes at school, so I had some prior coding knowledge, but I had never used AI before and I never thought I would before this,” Manoj said. “I watched a bunch of videos and tutorials, then built a prototype that I refined over the summer [which] resulted in Shield Seniors.”
Her innovation quickly drew national attention.
“I found out 12 hours before that I was even nominated for TIME Kid of the Year,” Manoj said. “The process has been so surreal because I had no time to process it even before it happened.”
The experience has also shaped Manoj’s vision for her future.
“Computer science has always been something I want to do in college,” Manoj said. “Right now, I’m leaning toward cybersecurity or artificial intelligence and machine learning.”
Her project taught her valuable lessons about collaboration and perseverance.
“I went through the beginning of the app process completely alone,” she said. “I learned that it’s really good to have people you can rely on for support. Most things should be collaborative—you can exchange ideas and lean on others. I didn’t have anyone in the beginning, but after I made the app, I started getting mentors, and they were so helpful. I wish I had done that earlier.”
As she continues to improve Shield Seniors, she’s focused on expanding its reach.
“Because it uses AI, it does take a lot of money to run,” she explained. “Right now, I have a free version, so I’m hoping to apply for some grants or funding. I want to release it to the general public soon and go to more senior homes to talk about cybersecurity.”
From protecting her grandfather to empowering an entire generation, her journey proves that innovation, compassion, and perseverance can make a real difference. Her advice to other students pursuing their passions is simple yet powerful:
“Just believe in yourself. Go for what you believe in [and] keep doing what you love. If you really love something, you’ll put in the effort, and that effort will eventually pay off.”
