A system and method for automatically locking user interface input elements to avoid negative impact of inadvertently pressing a user input element. The method receives an internally generated locking signal; sets a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked. Input signals occurring while the input elements are locked are ignored. In accordance with other aspects, the method further relates to determining whether input signals relate to an unlock signal. The internally generated locking signal is generated following a predetermined time interval that is managed by an internal timer and may be related to an automatic shutoff/sleep mode time interval. Alternatively, a calendar-type application program may initiate the internally generated locking signal in response to a predetermined event.