Focusing on the five key factors of internet connection, device availability, digital literacy, motivation, and the cost of data, the study explores the barriers of the use of online learning platforms. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 participants, to assess their experiences with online learning. These barriers were quantified in the study using descriptive statistics to assess the extent of the barriers. Respondents identified several challenges, including lack of devices, inadequate internet accessibility, and problems with digital literacy. There are important managerial implications of the findings of this study for platform developers and for educational institutions. Both the use, and the usability, of online learning systems could be profoundly expanded by updates to interfaces, cheaper data plans and better internet infrastructure. Beyond onboarding practices to help engage students, users may also benefit from digital literacy training to close the gaps in user skills. Future studies must investigate the long-term effects of these interventions on learner results and take-up rates, with special consideration for socio demographic factors such as location and income. Comparative studies across countries or regions can also shed light on how infrastructure and cultural differences influence the usage of such platforms. In addition, looking for solutions in modern technology, such as virtual reality or AI, can provide creative solutions to these issues and improve the learning experience.
Keywords: Online learning platforms, barriers to adoption, digital literacy, internet connectivity, educational technology.