Now why does that sound like a voice of experience?!Now, pulling your camera off a table onto a tiled floor because you tripped on the cable - thats a different matter.
Actually, there is foundation in this. I was told by a couple of camera repair guys that constantly plugging the PC plug into your camera could break the solder within the socket and even cause cracking of the internal circuit board to which it's attached. It was a common problem regardless of the quality of the camera. However, that was using the connections which pre-dated the now pretty well universal USB socket system, so whether it's still an issue I've no idea.
That doesn't sound like the sort of photography pro your friend should rely on for advice.A photography pro told the her that if there are any bugs on your computer, you can cause problems on your camera if its linked by cable to your pc.
Also, apparently, if there is a power cut/surge whilst the camera is 'cabled' to the pc, it can wipe the memory card and cause problems for the cameras internal workings.
Given the right set of circumstances anything is possible but highly unlikely. 15+ years ago the monitor connected to my Amiga was fried during a thunderstorm when lightning struck nearby. Down the phone wire, through the modem into the Amiga taking out the flicker flixer (who remembers them?) and the monitor. Rest of the machine was fine
So, hook up an old style modem to your pc, connect your camera during a thunderstorm and you might get unlucky