iPhone apps let stressed workers bash the boss

FRUSTRATED workers can bash their boss with iPhone apps, but expert says it may be bad for you.

APPLE iPhones are being used to relieve stress by frustrated workers desperate to take out their anger out on the boss.

Several apps have appeared allowing users to snap and then mutilate a photo of their subject, using virtual weapons ranging from axes and machine guns to knives and blocks of wood.

Abhijeet Wable, who developed the anger management app Stress Fighter, said he wanted to let people beat up their boss or anyone they didn't like without jeopardising their job.

But anger management expert David Cherry said such tools internalised feelings of frustration and could make matters worse for some people already under the pump.

"It's encouraging treating another person like an object rather than a human being, something to be bashed," Mr Cherry said.

The Herald Sun downloaded three apps from the iTunes Store for $1.19 each.

Stress Fighter is described as a "fighting game and stress reliever all rolled up into one".

Cruisin for a Bruisin suggests users "load the photo of your victim and then get to work giving them what for with this awesome range of fully animated weapons".

The virtual arsenal includes a sledgehammer, axe, darts, daggers and a machine gun.

Face Punch encourages users to pull on the boxing gloves and go to town on the subject of their aggression.