A method for treating tailings includes the step of S1: mixing the tailings to be treated with a neutral active aqueous solution and then drying the tailings, wherein the neutral active aqueous solution is prepared from water via an electrocatalytic water device, and the circulation time of the water in the electrocatalytic water device is 5-60 min, and the mass ratio of the tailings to the neutral active aqueous solution is 1:1-10:1.