is it ok to force shut down a macbook?

[Minitoots]

My son's macbook is password protected and if I need to shut it down when he is out, he says it's ok to hold down the button on the top right to force it to close down. I'd always thought that this could damage it - who's right?

[tomk]

It's ok but not ideal longterm. Better to just shut the lid down and let it go to sleep (uses v little battery life).

[JBoylen]

I agree with tomk

[GinaG3]

We never shut our MacBooks down, 8 years strong! It will be fine until he gets home but if needs be the odd force won't harm it awfully.

[Minitoots]

thanks for the feedback. He ended up telling me his password so now I can shut it down properly but still useful to know about not forcing it too often and closing lid down to let it go to sleep instead...