Digital Literacy Skill Development among Students in Higher Education: An Empirical Analysis of Challenges and Barriers

Digital literacy has become an essential competency for students in the modern educational environment. Despite the increasing integration of digital technologies in education, several challenges hinder students from effectively developing digital literacy skills. This study examines the major barriers faced by students in acquiring digital literacy competencies. Data were collected from 564 respondents and analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean rank analysis. The findings reveal that poor internet connectivity and financial constraints are the most significant challenges affecting digital literacy development. Inadequate training in advanced digital tools, stress and distraction associated with digital learning, language barriers, and limited access to digital devices also influence students' digital learning experiences. The study highlights the need for improved digital infrastructure, affordable access to technology and comprehensive digital literacy training programs to foster an inclusive and effective learning environment.