The embodiment of the application discloses a method and device for controlling a terminal. The specific implement of the method comprises the following steps: responding to determine a first terminalthat is playing contents will meet a presetting screen turn-off condition after a presetting duration, send a screen turn-off prompt message; the first terminal is in a children service module; the children service module provides the service for children users; receive a playing control message of the first terminal; the playing control message is sent basing on the screen turn-off prompt message and is used for setting the playing duration of the first terminal; according to the playing control message, send a control command to the first terminal, so as to control the first terminal to stop playing and turn off the screen; and, the control command includes the time for controlling the first terminal to stop playing and turn off the screen. The embodiment of the method realizes the elastic control of the first terminal.