A screen control method and terminal are provided. The method comprises the following steps: when a terminal is in the process of a session or originating a call, determining whether the distance between a designated region of a screen of the terminal and a human body is larger than a distance threshold on the basis of electric signals generated by the screen when the designated region is close to the human body (101); controlling the screen to be shut off if it is determined that the distance is not larger than the distance threshold, and controlling the screen to be lit on if it is determined that the distance is larger than the distance threshold (102). The present invention can control the shutting off and lighting up of the screen more precisely when the terminal is in the process of a session or originating a call.