A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal may include a touch screen and a controller configured to control output on the touch screen based on touch inputs detected while the touch screen is in an inactive state. A first touch input may be detected at a point on the touch screen while the touch screen is inactive and a second touch input may be detected on the inactive touch screen while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen. An entire area or a partial area of the touch screen is activated according to the detected second touch input while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen. Moreover, an execution screen of a prescribed application may be output on the activated area of the touch screen while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen.