A method for restricting and authorizing use of at least one specific function in a mobile terminal, the method comprising: restricting use of at least one specific function by detecting (S20, S30), based on Global Positioning System signals or based on the mobile terminal contacting or approaching an external device, that the at least one specific function of the mobile terminal should be restricted; displaying a mode restriction indicator before entering a restricted mode in which use of the at least one specific function is restricted, the mode restriction indicator indicating that the mobile terminal needs to restrict the at least one specific function, wherein the mobile terminal is switched to the restricted mode by the user upon selection of the mode restriction indicator; and entering the restricted mode and restricting use of the at least one specific function upon receiving a specific command to enter the restricted mode, wherein an icon indicating the restricted mode is displayed during the restricted mode; and authorizing use of at least one specific function by operating a velocity sensor and an altitude sensor of a sensing unit after the mobile terminal is switched to the restricted mode and monitoring changes in output values from the velocity sensor and the altitude sensor of the mobile terminal during the restricted mode; displaying a message asking the user whether to release the restricted mode when the output values from the velocity sensor and the altitude sensor satisfy conditions for releasing the restricted mode; and entering a non-restricted mode and no longer restricting use of the at least one specific function upon receiving a specific command to release a previously set restricted mode, wherein the icon is no longer displayed during the non-restricted mode. restricting use of at least one specific function by detecting (S20, S30), based on Global Positioning System signals or based on the mobile terminal contacting or approaching an external device, that the at least one specific function of the mobile terminal should be restricted; displaying a mode restriction indicator before entering a restricted mode in which use of the at least one specific function is restricted, the mode restriction indicator indicating that the mobile terminal needs to restrict the at least one specific function, wherein the mobile terminal is switched to the restricted mode by the user upon selection of the mode restriction indicator; and entering the restricted mode and restricting use of the at least one specific function upon receiving a specific command to enter the restricted mode, wherein an icon indicating the restricted mode is displayed during the restricted mode; and authorizing use of at least one specific function by operating a velocity sensor and an altitude sensor of a sensing unit after the mobile terminal is switched to the restricted mode and monitoring changes in output values from the velocity sensor and the altitude sensor of the mobile terminal during the restricted mode; displaying a message asking the user whether to release the restricted mode when the output values from the velocity sensor and the altitude sensor satisfy conditions for releasing the restricted mode; and entering a non-restricted mode and no longer restricting use of the at least one specific function upon receiving a specific command to release a previously set restricted mode, wherein the icon is no longer displayed during the non-restricted mode.