Hahaha I've seen that all too many times on here. I notice that you have a killer reputation, and I assume that's why they were dropped so low with your flag. Each point up is 10x more upvotes than the last reputation score.
Also, IMO they deserve it.
It's a tough call sometimes. (Deserving it.)
As the case with this story, the kid was quick to humbly his acknowledge his error and change course, respectfully. Thus, deserving of leniency. I wouldn't want to hit him that hard, when he recognized he was out of line and communicates that he is committed to righting his wrongs.
Though for other cases, where it's not even clear whether there is a real, conscious, intelligent human behind the account - that it's more likely run by a bot dishing out straight bullshit, than yeah, time to lay the heavy hand because it's outright abuse and there's no way of arguing it.
Discernment is essential to assess what's appropriate in each individual case.