Meet Tejasvi Manoj | High School Junior

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tejasvi Manoj and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tejasvi, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Shield Seniors creates a profound social impact by safeguarding older adults from the escalating threat of cybercrime. In today’s increasingly digital landscape, seniors are particularly vulnerable to online scams, phishing attacks, and financial fraud. Shield Seniors addresses this by offering an intuitive and accessible platform tailored specifically for older adults. The app not only raises awareness about cybersecurity but also equips users with practical tools such as a virtual assistant for immediate assistance, an image analysis feature to assess suspicious requests, and user-friendly educational content to foster safe online practices. Through these resources, Shield Seniors empowers seniors to navigate the digital world confidently, significantly reduces the risk of financial exploitation, and contributes to building a more informed, secure, and resilient community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a 16-year-old high school junior, and I’ve spent the past year working on a project that’s very close to my heart—Shield Seniors. It’s an app designed to help protect older adults from cyber threats, like scams and fraud, which are becoming more common as technology advances. My motivation for creating this project comes from a personal experience—last year, my 85-year-old grandfather almost fell victim to a cyber scam. Watching him go through that experience was a turning point for me, and it sparked my passion for helping seniors stay safe online. Although I lost him in January 2025, his experience continues to fuel my drive to protect other older adults from the same dangers.

What sets Shield Seniors apart from other projects is its focus on accessibility and simplicity. I wanted to create something that seniors could easily use and understand. The app not only provides educational resources but also offers practical tools, like a virtual assistant and image analysis feature, to help users make safe decisions online. It’s been a lot of work, but knowing that it could make a real difference in someone’s life has kept me motivated.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. As a high school student, I had to balance school, extracurriculars, and the development of this app. I faced challenges with coding, user testing, and even learning how to make a project like this come to life from scratch. But I learned a lot along the way—perseverance, the importance of asking for help, and how to take feedback and apply it. I’ve also realized the value of mentoring and learning from others.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that nothing worthwhile comes easily, but with hard work and persistence, you can achieve what seems impossible. There were moments when I wanted to give up, but I kept pushing forward because I knew how much this project mattered to me, and to the seniors it could help.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I’m driven by a deep passion for using technology to solve real-world problems. Shield Seniors is more than just an app; it’s a way to make the digital world safer for people who might not understand the risks they face. I want to continue learning, growing, and making an impact in the tech world. My journey is just starting, and I’m excited to see where it will take me next.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This mission is deeply personal to me. Early last year, my 85-year-old grandfather almost fell victim to cyber fraud. Witnessing his experience was a pivotal moment in my life, sparking a deep commitment to protect seniors from the growing threat of online scams. Although I lost him in January 2025, his experience continues to drive my passion for safeguarding older adults from cyber dangers.

I want to dedicate this shoutout to the incredible senior citizens who have been an integral part of the testing and feedback process for Shield Seniors. I also want to express my gratitude to the mentors and advisors who have provided guidance and support throughout this journey.

Special thanks go to my teachers at Lebanon Trail High School, whose dedication and expertise have given me a solid foundation in STEM. Their encouragement has been crucial in helping me develop the skills needed to bring this project to life. I am also thankful for the mentorship and opportunities provided by programs like Girls Who Code, Kode with Klossy, and the Mark Cuban AI Foundation. These organizations have been pivotal in nurturing my passion for technology and pushing me to make a meaningful impact in the world.

My time as a Scout has profoundly influenced my approach to this project. The core values of leadership, service, and community support that I’ve embraced through Scouting have shaped the way I approach problem-solving and giving back. The principles of service and making a difference are deeply woven into the fabric of Shield Seniors, and I’m proud to apply those values to help protect and empower senior citizens.

Finally, a heartfelt shoutout goes to my family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement. Their belief in me has been a constant source of motivation as I’ve worked to turn this project into a meaningful resource for senior citizens.

Website: https://www.shieldseniors.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shield-seniors/about/?viewAsMember=true