DESPITE what parents and academics say, is seems that being famous is a career.

For years people have mocked Z-list celebrities and those who covet their 15 minutes of fame.

And with the social media phenomenon apparently growing every day, people find themselves in the limelight for a variety of reasons ­— whether good or bad.

All they want to do is be on TV or in the news.

But, as we highlight today, three young people from Bolton have used social media to their advantage ­— and it has changed their lives.

Jack Morris is no longer cleaning carpets. His pioneering use of Instagram has seen him travel the world in a lucrative career which has seen him settle in Bali ­— at the age of 28.

Beauty blogger Lauren Paynter and Instagrammer Arianna Ajtar have also enjoyed and see their profiles rise as a result of their social media work.

But if it was that easy, everyone would be making a success of it.

They have told of the pressure they face to generate new material to keep their hundreds of thousands of fans entertained and the money coming in.

While there is global success to be found, like anything else, you have to work hard at it and know what you are doing.

While few people over the age of 25 will have learnt about social media in school and college, the younger generation are and need to be well-versed in all things digital.