Meet the Teen Empowering Seniors in a Digital World

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Tejasvi Manoj. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Tejasvi Manoj, a 16-year-old high school student, has taken a personal experience and transformed it into a movement to protect older adults online. After witnessing her grandfather nearly fall victim to a digital scam, Tejasvi founded Shield Seniors, a multi-pronged initiative aimed at helping seniors stay safe and confident in the digital age. With cybercrime costing older Americans billions each year, her mission is deeply rooted in both compassion and urgency.

Shield Seniors operates on three core pillars. The first is a user-friendly AI-powered app Tejasvi developed herself, designed to help seniors quickly identify suspicious emails, messages and websites. The app includes a virtual assistant and simple tools tailored specifically for users who may not be tech-savvy. Recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Congressional App Challenge, the app is currently expanding to Android platforms to reach even more users.

The second component of Tejasvi’s work involves spreading awareness through public education and media. From speaking at TEDx Plano to receiving recognition from city leaders in Plano and Frisco, she’s made it a priority to make cybersecurity a mainstream issue for older adults. Through interviews, articles and public proclamations, Tejasvi has reached thousands with her message of digital empowerment.

While working in digital spaces, what makes Tejasvi’s approach especially impactful is her direct engagement with the community. She conducts in-person workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions at senior centers, ensuring her digital safety efforts are not just theoretical but personal. These moments of connection allow her to witness firsthand the increased confidence and independence being fostered in the senior community.

Beyond Shield Seniors, Tejasvi devotes 15–20 hours each month volunteering with other impactful organizations. From tutoring Bhutanese refugee students through Vibha, to serving on the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council, to working toward an Eagle Scout rank, her service is far-reaching and multi-dimensional. Read on to find out more about what inspires her.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Shield Seniors.

I’m the founder of Shield Seniors, an initiative I started to help older adults feel safer, more confident and better protected in the digital world. What began as a personal mission has grown into a comprehensive program that combines technology, education and community outreach to fight cybercrime targeting seniors.

I built an AI-powered web application that helps seniors identify scams in real time. I also lead in-person workshops at senior centers where I teach older adults how to recognize threats, use technology more comfortably and protect themselves online. To reach an even broader audience, I’ve taken the message to the media, through interviews, podcasts and articles, to make sure that cybersecurity awareness becomes a national conversation that includes seniors.

From local news to national platforms like TEDx and NBC, I’ve worked to make the digital world a little safer, one story at a time. My goal isn’t just to help seniors avoid scams — it’s to empower them to use technology with confidence, to stay connected, and to live more independently in a digital age.

Why is this issue so important to you?

This mission is deeply personal to me. Early last year, my 85-year-old grandfather was nearly scammed online. I still remember how shaken and anxious he was. It wasn’t just about losing money; it was the fear, the confusion and the loss of trust that really stayed with him. That moment opened my eyes to how unprepared many seniors are to deal with online threats. It made me realize that my grandfather wasn’t alone — millions of older adults face similar risks every day. I knew I couldn’t just stand by. I had to do something to protect them and give them the knowledge they need to feel safe and confident in a world that’s increasingly digital.

Tell us about what inspired you to start Shield Seniors after that experience.

My grandfather’s experience was a wake-up call. After he was nearly scammed online, I started digging deeper and was shocked to learn that older adults lose over $3.4 billion every year to cybercrime. The more I researched, the more I realized how widespread — and overlooked — this problem is. I discovered that most older adults don’t have access to real-time tools to help them spot scams, and there’s very little training or support tailored specifically for their needs.

That realization hit me hard. I wanted to turn my concern into action, not just for my grandfather, but for every older adult facing the same risks. That’s when I decided to create Shield Seniors to close that gap, raise awareness and empower older adults to navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

What are some of the other causes and organizations you volunteer with?

I volunteer with several organizations that focus on community service, education and support. Some of the organizations I work with include Vibha, where I tutor Bhutanese refugee students and lead fundraising efforts. I also volunteer with the North Texas Food Bank, where I served as secretary on the Young Advocates Council, helping to raise awareness and resources for hunger relief. I also volunteer with TangoTab, where I assist in packing meals for families facing food insecurity.

In Scouting America, I’m working toward earning my Eagle Scout rank through leadership roles and community projects. Additionally, I’m involved with the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp, serving as an AI student ambassador, helping other teens learn about artificial intelligence. For my dedication to community service, I’ve been honored with the U.S. Congressional Award Gold Certificate and the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the actual impact of my work. Knowing that I’m doing something that actually helps people brings me so much joy. It has helped me develop new skills and gain a broader perspective on social issues. I’ve become a better communicator and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges others face. That mix of impact and personal growth is what makes this journey so rewarding.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

Volunteering has helped me realize that even small actions can create meaningful change. Through all my work, I’ve become more empathic and have learned the importance of listening carefully. I have also gained experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and I’ve learned how to turn an idea into something that truly impacts others.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

I think that everyone has the power to make a difference in the world if they just put in a bit of effort and time. Sometimes it only takes a single person to make a difference in someone else’s life. Your passion can inspire other people to pursue their own passions as well, and it can help you grow as a person and help your community flourish.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering.

I would recommend just starting volunteering with something you really care about. It doesn’t have to be huge. Even helping one person can make a huge difference! You can talk to local nonprofits or community centers to figure out how to get involved. And don’t be afraid to start your own project! Your voice and actions matter and truly can make a difference.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Tejasvi? Find local volunteer opportunities.