Video game reviewer Alanah Pearce was threatened with violence and rape on social media, so she decided to take action.
A video game reviewer who was threatened with rape by internet trolls has told Sky News that social media sites need to do more to stop online abuse.
Alanah Pearce has been threatened with violence and rape on her various social media sites.
She said: "I had a lot of people suggesting that I report these things to police but that would be so exhausting for me to have to contact police and file a report every time this happens it feels unrealistic.
"What I would like to see happen is the websites take these complaints more seriously like Facebook and Twitter for example to address people who are using social networks inappropriately."
After the 21-year-old from Brisbane, Australia, discovered many of those leaving the abuse were actually young boys rather than adults she decided to take action - by contacting their mothers.
"I realised that discussing it with them wasn't going to work when they wanted a reaction and maybe were too naive to realise what they were actually saying to me so I decided that contacting their mums was probably the best way to do it."
Alanah Pearce tweeted the Facebook Messenger exchange with one of the mothers who responded to her message:
In it she asks: "Hi Anna, I don't know you, but I was wondering if ****** ***** is your son?"
Anna replied: "Yes he is why?"
Alanah then responds: "I have never spoken to him before, but he sent a concerning message to my public Facebook page today that I was wondering if you might be interested in discussing with him.
She then sent a screen shot of the abuse which read: "I'll rape you if I ever see you ****"
The mother replies: "omg little ****. IM SO SORRY. YES I WILL TALK TO HIM"
In October, the government proposed new laws which could lead to internet trolls facing two years in jail.
The tougher stance follows abuse directed at high profile women - including athlete Jessica Ennis and TV personality Chloe Madeley.
They were both targeted following comments - in Ms Madeley's case made by her mother Judy Finnigan - surrounding speculation that Sheffield United was considering re-signing convicted rapist Ched Evans.
Earlier this year a woman and two men were arrested and jailed for online abuse directed at Labour MP Stella Creasy and campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez.
They had both campaigned for a woman to appear on the £10 note.
Sky News
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