A major problem, as she said, is these are boys who don't really realize how bad this is. Because they are online and they feel the consequences of actions online don't apply to the real world. The other problem is that because its online, their parents may not be aware of their actions and behaviors and cannot take appropriate response.
Telling their parents is the best response.
I was once having a problem with a stalker sending me threatening text messages and telling me stories that I had no idea how anyone would know and giving me a ton of different names so we traced the number and ended up calling a high school girl's mom- only her step-dad answered the phone... and he was beyond angry. I wouldn't be surprised if she never got her phone back.
I can't imagine either of my sons ever thinking that a threat like that was appropriate for somone you didn't like...or for ANYTHING, I hope. The one who is now a police officer even investigates that kind of crap. I think the woman's solution is great--embarass the little $#!+s along with getting the threat noticed. The main problem is that the parents providing the correction to the behavior are the ones who brought him up that way in the first place (most likely, but not always). Maybe a step parent has to deal with it, or this is the parents' wake up call that the kid has other (bad) influences as well. Hope for the best, but don't expect miracles in our coarse culture.
Telling their parents is the best response.
Wanna make rape threats ? I'll sell your Xbox if I was your mom