I think your concern is legitimate. It's fine for him to want a six-pack, but going about it the wrong way could produce significant repercussions. That said, there are exercises that will eventuate in effective results but won't harm his back/neck/etc. It is very important to be highly aware of form in doing these exercises, which watching videos and taking note of the form and positioning of the head, neck, and back makes conditioning your abs significant less risky.
Another option is trying non-crunch-like ab exercises, like balancing on a stability ball or using Pilates-inspired movements.
Hope this helps some. Good luck!