Sorry if this isn't the correct place to post this question.

This is the first time I'm using a laptop; all these years I've used only a desktop.

I read full books on the laptop. What I do is I lie down on the bed and keep the laptop on the side - not resting on its bottom(!) - and read books this way. Sometimes I hold the laptop on my chest and my arm keeps swaying from time to time.

From what I know, hard disks should not be moved when they are running. So considering the way I'm using the laptop, will the hard disk get damaged?

You can use safely that method without any problems to hard drives....

i see movies in that way and my hard drive is not degrading... you have to be careful and change the laptop position slowly and you will be fine

If you are careful, your laptop hard drive will probably be ok. On the other hand, your worries are not without a reason. It does not take much of bad luck, or a jerky movement, to kill it. I would go for a SSD drive if using my laptop in bed.

I would also worry about hair and lint getting into the laptop. In my experience the number one reason for dead laptops is lack of cooling caused by blocked air flow.

1.
it's Ok to used the laptop on bed, the important is you have an air exhaust for the laptop
2.
When you closed your laptop LCD, do not bump, it may trigger the hard disk hot soft area.
3.
Do not moved the laptop or bump, hold it easily
4.
Do not always closed the laptop LCD if your not using it, this may cause LCD burn, specially on hot and cold surroundings.
5.
Do not throw it, give it to the poor in case you want it

good luck