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My dad does it too. My mom and sister think it’s super gross and dangerous, but it just goes right down. This way you don’t end up with a bunch fried shrimp tail cluttering you plate. I mean sure your eat a part of the shell too, but it seems fine to me.
As far as I know, shellfish chitin can't be digested by the human gut, so what you swallow comes out pretty much unaltered at the other end.
Prawn shells are not harmful to consume, so if you like them or you enjoy annoying your Mom and sister (which is probably the most likely reason you do it), then on you go.
Personally, I have a strong aversion to shellfish shells. Many years ago, I was eating a surf 'n' turf meal, and I accidentally swallowed a chunk of lobster shell. It scrapped my throat going down and I damn near projectile vomited all over the table.
The shell is edible. And the shell from fried shrimp is likely to be crunchy and easier to chew up. Some recipes call for leaving the last shell segment and tail on the shrimp as the shell and tail contribute to the flavor of the dish, although it’s expected (not required) you’ll discard that part when eating it. Your dad will be fine.
I had prawns curry today. I don't ever eat the shells. Apparently it takes longer to digest, if at all.