A new survey from broadband company Pure Telecom reveals that 60% of adults in Ireland aged under 35 would like a job as a social media influencer as a source of income.
The research, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom as part of its Connected Lives survey, show that 48% of the adult population would consider a job as a social media influencer.
It found that of those who expressed an interest in pursuing a job as an influencer - and who have full-time jobs - 56% believe they would earn more money than they do now.
The main reasons given for wanting to be a social media influencer are having an interest in it (49%) and getting free products and services (32%).
But the top reasons given by those who would steer clear of an influencing career were a lack of interest (38%), followed by a belief that they would not be good at it (37%), as well as privacy concerns and the pressure of public scrutiny (30%).
Today's survey also showed the effect of social media influencers on people's shopping habits.
44% of social media users said that influencers have an impact their purchasing decisions and choices. This impact was most noticeable among Generation Z (those aged 26 and younger), with 54% reporting that influencers impact such decisions.
As the age profile increased, the impact waned. But 34% of Baby Boomers (those aged 59-77) still said their choices had been swayed by influencers.
Pure Telecom's also research found that 45% of those surveyed said that they post at least once a week on their chosen social media platforms.
12% post on social media every day or more, rising to 16% for Baby Boomers, who are the most likely generation to post daily.
Paul Connell, CEO of Pure Telecom, said the research shows that online influencing has become a mainstream career consideration for many as we see an entire generation of digital natives becoming hard-working adults.
