When Indian American teenager Tejasvi Manoj learned that her 85-year-old grandfather had nearly been tricked by a phishing scam, she saw it as more than just a family incident—it was a wake-up call. The 16-year-old high school student from Texas decided to take action. Drawing from her passion for coding and a desire to help, Tejasvi began building Shield Seniors, an AI-powered mobile app designed to protect older adults from online fraud.
The app is currently in demo mode and features four key tools:
- Learn – Offers easy-to-understand content on internet safety.
- Ask – A chatbot that answers scam-related questions in real time.
- Analyze – Lets users upload messages or screenshots to detect fraud.
- Help – Step-by-step guides and FAQs for extra support.
Tejasvi, who was introduced to coding through Girls Who Code, has worked tirelessly on her project with guidance from her parents—both Indian immigrants and software professionals. Her app design is driven by real conversations with senior users, leading her to simplify the interface, enlarge buttons, and make information more accessible.
Despite still being a junior at Lebanon Trail High School, Tejasvi’s work has already received national attention. She earned an Honorable Mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge and has presented her project to AARP, which advocates for people aged 50 and above. The app has also been featured in several Indian diaspora media outlets.
Though her grandfather passed away earlier this year, Tejasvi sees Shield Seniors as a tribute to him—and as a mission to protect millions of other elders like him. For this second-generation Indian American teen, it’s more than just coding—it’s a commitment to community and compassion.
