Final answer:
An inactive social networking membership can lead to negative consequences like college admission rejections, as some colleges review online profiles. Maintaining a positive and active social media presence is crucial for students to avoid such outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inactive membership in social networking platforms can lead to a range of consequences, particularly for a high school student applying to college. Social media profiles often act as an extension of a person's real-world interactions and are sometimes reviewed by college admissions committees. An inactive or poorly managed profile might suggest to reviewers that the candidate lacks engagement with their community or doesn't maintain a positive online presence, which could be a disadvantage in the competitive college application process. It's crucial for students to be aware of their digital footprint, as it can have unexpected impacts such as missing out on college acceptances.
To mitigate the social networking consequences, students should maintain active and positive profiles, showcasing their community engagement, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements. While not all colleges check social media, some do, and it's important to ensure that all public information reflects the student's best self. In the scenario described, it's possible that an inactive or negative social media presence was a contributing factor to the unexpected college rejections.