How does money affect the way young people engage with activities that interest them? And how does social media influence their experience of hobbies?

To gain a deeper understanding of young people and their hobbies, MTV recently conducted a study of young people ages 16-34 in seven countries who are interested in extreme sports, cooking, or photography. Here are key findings:

Not having much money keeps them from participating in some hobbies.

Young people perceive extreme sports as very expensive, but those who can’t afford to take part still get a thrill from watching them.

They find cooking fun, but buying all the ingredients to experiment with complex recipes can be expensive. Their kitchen skills tend to be basic, so being “adventurous” means improving upon what they know. Spending money on groceries for a dish that may not work out may be a risky investment.

For photography, instead of costly cameras they’re using smartphones that serve many purposes yet still take good pictures.

Social networks are a source of inspiration, as well as a place to share (and show off a little).

Extreme sports enthusiasts share photos and clips they find impressive—either of other people or, if available, of themselves. One source of frustration for those who participate in extreme sports is the difficulty of getting action shots.

Novice chefs get ideas from social media and the internet, as well as family and cookbooks. Facebook and Instagram are the most popular networks for sharing pics of kitchen creations, while Twitter is more effective for reaching a wider audience. Younger Millennials share cooking pictures the most, while adults’ pics are more about the social aspects of eating—happy families and friends around the table.

Smartphones and social media have made photography more spontaneous for young people. While they enjoy taking pictures, photography as a subject is not as compelling. They share pics to capture moments, as well as to promote themselves as active, interesting, and popular. Often, they take pictures to share on social media as part of a conversation—so the images themselves are more disposable and less meaningful.