I realize I'm pretty late to the party, and I only read the first ten pages.
Even though sending nudes over the internet may seem weird to some people, and are having that influence their opinion of nick and the whole drama, but to others it's normal. Nick may be an ass, but it was not his fault whatsoever that he sent research to a minor. She lied about her age, which he had no way of proving apart from her word. So he did what he thought was normal, and she consented. Again, nick is a richard at times, but definitely not a child enthusiast.