A lockable button mechanism for use in a portable device. The mechanism includes three button elements aligned with three switch elements, whereby the button elements may be individually depressed to activate respective switch elements. The mechanism further includes a locking element interposed between the switch elements and the button elements, the locking element being slidably displaceable between a first position in which depression of the button elements is enabled, and a second position in which the locking element blocks depression of the button elements.