Comment by lukan

It really depends on the community and the exact guidelines, but if someone is clearly toxic, I start with a direct message, then mute, then kick and ban.

You can spend endless time with internet weirdos, the trick is acting early and also being open to reverse a decision (also saying sorry if a moderation misstake was made, it can be easy attribute something to malice that was in reality really a newb misstake - and then you say sorry, explain that you are not paid and have also the real world to deal with at times and then all is good and with those who are really bad, well, one should not be light skinned and be able to tolerate some vague and concrete threats).